title: Cognitive and social development in preschool children born to women using substances.
abstract: Prenatal substance exposure is associated with physical birth defects and increased risk of regulatory and neuropsychological difficulties of children born to mothers using substances while pregnant. Myriad factors, such as maternal psychopathology, stress, and poor living circumstances, may influence childhood development in addition to the teratological effect of prenatal substance exposure. This study explores the long-term developmental consequences in children from birth to age 7 born to women using substances and are in treatment. A series of t tests were performed to explore group effects on the cognitive and social dimensions of Griffiths Mental Development Scales compared with Swedish norms. The results showed significant effects on eye and hand coordination in children aged birth to 7 years and on hearing and speech, practical reasoning, and the general quotient in children aged 3 to 7 years. Children who were exposed primarily to alcohol in utero scored significantly lower on the personal and social skills subscale, eye and hand coordination subscale, and the general quotient than children exposed primarily to substances other than alcohol. These effects did not appear to be mediated by the mothers' social background or treatment history. The results suggest that children who are exposed to substances, in particular alcohol, in utero are vulnerable overall, but especially in eye and hand coordination and personal and social skills.
authors.affiliation: The Family Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark. tina.irner@psy.ku.dk
authors.forename: Tina Birk
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Irner
authors.forename: Thomas William
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Teasdale
authors.forename: May
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olofsson
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001724:Birth Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders