Prenatal cocaine exposures and dose-related cocaine effects on infant tone and behavior.
BACKGROUND
In experimental models, prenatal cocaine exposure has been found to perturb monoaminergic development. In humans, numerous studies have sought clinical correlates, but few have focused on dose-related effects, especially as regards neurologic function beyond the neonatal period.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether prenatal cocaine exposure has adverse effects on infant neurologic, developmental and behavioral outcomes and whether any effects are dose-dependent.


METHODS
Infants (398) were enrolled at birth from an urban hospital. Drug exposure was ascertained with biomarkers in hair (n=395), urine (n=170) and meconium (n=109). Children were followed prospectively and 286 (72%) were evaluated blind to drug exposure at 6 months of age with the Bayley scales, Fagan Scale of Infant Intelligence and a standardized neurological examination.


RESULTS
Certain neurological findings increased significantly by the amount of cocaine detected in maternal hair, e.g. abnormality of tone, as indicated by extensor posture was detected among 28% of cocaine-unexposed infants, 43% of infants exposed to lower and 48% exposed to higher cocaine levels in maternal hair (p<0.009). Persistent fisting increased in a similar dose-dependent manner. These associations persisted in adjusted analyses. Prenatal cocaine exposure was not associated with developmental scores (mental, motor or novelty preference) but was associated with lower orientation scores in adjusted analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
At 6 months of age, prenatal cocaine exposure was associated with abnormalities of tone and posture and with lower orientation scores. Perturbations in monoaminergic systems by cocaine exposure during fetal development may explain the observed neurological and behavioral symptoms. Whether such findings in infancy increase the risk of later neurobehavioral problems requires further study.
Chiriboga
Claudia A
CA
Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. cac3@columbia.edu
Kuhn
Louise
L
Wasserman
Gail A
GA
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008470:Meconium / Q000737:chemistry; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications
D015415:Biomarkers; D003042:Cocaine