Prenatal methamphetamine use and neonatal neurobehavioral outcome.
BACKGROUND
Methamphetamine (MA) use among pregnant women is an increasing problem in the United States. How prenatal MA exposure affects neonatal neurobehavior is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the neurobehavioral effects of prenatal MA exposure.


METHODS
The Infant Development, Environment and Lifestyle (IDEAL) study screened 13,808 subjects and 1632 were eligible and consented. 166 (n=74 exposed) were enrolled in a longitudinal follow-up. Exposure was determined by meconium assay and self-report with alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco present in both groups. The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) was administered within the first 5 days of life. Analyses conducted on NNNS summary scores included exposure group effects, heavy MA use effects, association with frequency of use by trimester, and dose-response relationships with amphetamine metabolites.


RESULTS
After adjusting for covariates, exposure to MA was associated with increased physiological stress. Heavy MA use was related to lower arousal, more lethargy, and increased physiological stress. First trimester MA use was related to elevated stress abstinence. Third trimester use was related to poorer quality of movement. Higher level of amphetamine metabolites in meconium was associated with increased CNS stress.


CONCLUSIONS
Prenatal MA exposure was associated with neurobehavioral patterns of decreased arousal, increased stress, and poor quality of movement. The dose-response relationships may represent neurotoxic effects from MA.
Smith
Lynne M
LM
Los Angeles Biomedical Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and David Geffen, School of Medicine at UCLA, Torrace, CA, USA. smith@labiomed.org
Lagasse
Linda L
LL
Derauf
Chris
C
Grant
Penny
P
Shah
Rizwan
R
Arria
Amelia
A
Huestis
Marilyn
M
Haning
William
W
Strauss
Arthur
A
Della Grotta
Sheri
S
Fallone
Melissa
M
Liu
Jing
J
Lester
Barry M
BM
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009357:Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine