Outcomes for infants exposed in utero to illicit drugs.
The study reported here sought to determine whether substance-exposed infants who are maltreated have a higher risk of out-of-home placement than substance-exposed children who are not abused and rejected, as well as a higher risk of death than children in the general population. In a sample of 513 infants born at a Chicago medical center from 1985 through 1990, 480 (93.6%) had complete sociodemographic data available for analysis. Identifying data were used to search the Illinois death registry and a computerized central registry of child abuse reports. Both out-of-home placement and death were distinctly more likely if children had been exposed to drugs and maltreated. Such children should be closely followed.
Jaudes
P K
PK
Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, IL, USA.
Ekwo
E E
EE
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002423:Cause of Death; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*