Examining the relationships between prenatal methamphetamine exposure, early adversity, and child neurobehavioral disinhibition.
Methamphetamine use is a growing problem among pregnant women in the United States. Many negative consequences of methamphetamine use have been documented for the users, but little research has examined the long-term association between prenatal methamphetamine exposure (PME) and childhood outcomes. The current study examined the extent to which PME was predictive of childhood neurobehavioral disinhibition (ND), as well as the extent to which early adversity mediated this relationship. A sample of 320 mother-infant dyads (162 PME) was followed from birth through 6.5 years of age. ND was conceptualized as a two factor model consisting of deficits in (a) behavioral and emotional control, and (b) executive function. PME was associated with behavioral and emotional control at 5 years, which was associated with executive function deficits at 6.5 years. Early adversity (birth through year 3) significantly mediated the relationship between PME and ND. Associations with previous research and implications for prevention are discussed.
Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School.
Beau
B
Abar
Linda L
LL
LaGasse
Chris
C
Derauf
Elana
E
Newman
Rizwan
R
Shah
Lynne M
LM
Smith
Amelia
A
Arria
Marilyn
M
Huestis
Sheri
S
Della Grotta
Lynne M
LM
Dansereau
Charles
C
Neal
Barry M
BM
Lester
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine