title: Low birth weight as a vulnerability marker for early drug use.
abstract: Using prospective data from a community-based sample, the authors tested (a) whether low birth weight (LBW) was a vulnerability marker for children's early drug use and (b) whether the antecedents and sequelae of LBW may act as mediators or confounders in the pathway to early drug use. A total of 823 children and their mothers--473 LBW (<2,500 g) and 350 normal birth weight (NBW)--were assessed when the children were 6 years old and again when they were 11 years old. The incidence of drug use was higher in LBW versus NBW boys (relative odds = 2.0, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-2.6), but there was no difference in incidence for girls. The increased risk for LBW boys remained after adjustment for IQ, externalizing problems, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and maternal smoking. These findings suggest that LBW is a useful vulnerability marker for early drug use among boys, independent of the antecedents and sequelae of LBW.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Hygiene, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. hchilcoa@jhsph.edu
authors.forename: Howard D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Chilcoat
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Breslau
mesh_terms: D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000523:psychology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011153:Population; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013383:Suburban Population; D014505:Urban Population