title: Developmental outcomes of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy)-exposed infants in the UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper aims to review findings from a longitudinal study of prenatal methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") on infant development.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective, longitudinal cohort design, we followed 28 MDMA-exposed and 68 non-MDMA-exposed infants from birth to 2 years of age. Women recruited voluntarily into a study of recreational drug use during pregnancy were interviewed to obtain type, frequency, and amount of recreational drug use. Their children were followed for a 2-year period after birth. A large number of drug and environmental covariates were controlled. Infants were seen at 1, 4, 12, 18, and 24 months using standardized normative tests of mental and motor development.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences between MDMA-exposed and non-MDMA-exposed infants at birth except that MDMA-exposed infants were more likely to be male. Motor delays were evident in MDMA infants at each age and amount of MDMA exposure predicted motor deficits at 12 months in a dose-dependent fashion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prenatal MDMA exposure is related to fine and gross motor delays in the first 2 years of life. Follow-up studies are needed to determine long-term effects.
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Lynn T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.affiliation: The University of East London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Derek G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Meeyoung O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: The University of East London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.affiliation: The University of East London, London, UK.
authors.forename: John J D
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fulton
authors.affiliation: Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Parrott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
keywords: MDMA; ecstasy; infant development; methylenedioxymethamphetamine; motor; prenatal