One-Year Outcomes of Prenatal Exposure to MDMA and Other Recreational Drugs

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A widely used illicit recreational drug among young adults, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy, is an indirect monoaminergic agonist/reuptake inhibitor affecting the serotonin system. Preclinical studies found prenatal exposure related to long-term learning and memory impairments. There are no studies of sequelae of prenatal MDMA exposure in humans, despite potential harmful effects to the fetus. METHODS: A total of 96 women in the United Kingdom (28 MDMA users; 68 non-MDMA) were interviewed about recreational drug use during pregnancy. Their infants were seen at 12 months using standardized assessments of cognitive, language, and motor development (Preschool Language Scale, Bayley Mental and Motor Development and Behavior Rating Scales [Mental Development Index, Psychomotor Development Index, Behavioral Rating Scale]). Mothers completed the Child Domain Scale of the Parenting Stress Index, The Home Observation of the Environment Scale (in interview), the Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Drug Abuse Screening Test. Women were primarily middle class with some university education, in stable partner relationships, and polydrug users. MDMA and other drug effects were assessed through multiple regression analyses controlling for confounding variables, and analysis of covariance comparing heavier versus lighter and nonexposed groups. RESULTS: Amount of prenatal MDMA exposure predicted poorer infant mental and motor development at 12 months in a dose-dependent manner. Heavily exposed infants were delayed in motor development. Lighter-exposed infants were comparable to nonexposed infants. There were no effects on language, emotional regulation, or parenting stress. CONCLUSIONS: Findings document persistent neurotoxic effects of heavier prenatal MDMA exposure on motor development through the first year of life.

Motor delays in MDMA (ecstasy) exposed infants persist to 2years

“…The effects of MDMA could not be attributed to other drug or alcohol exposures nor to sociodemographic factors. Motor skill deficits/delays had been apparent as early as four months of age (Singer LT et al, 2012a) and also at 12 months, when the heavier MDMA-exposed cohort exhibited deficits in standing and walking progressions compared to non-exposed infants (Singer LT et al, 2012b), Thus, the current study indicates a pervasive and continuing deficit in motor skills over the first 2 years of life compared to lighter and non-exposed children.…”

“…As reported previously (Singer LT et al, 2012a; Singer LT et al, 2012b) the maternal sample was primarily white; married or with a partner; with some university education; came from a full range of socioeconomic (SES) classes, with many from middle and high SES backgrounds; and were overall in the average range of intellectual ability. MDMA using women had fewer children.…”

“…Methods and Procedures from this study have been reported previously (Moore DG et al, 2010; Moore DG et al, 2011; Singer LT et al, 2012a; Singer LT et al, 2012b; Singer LT et al, 2015), but will be reviewed here. Prospective recruitment of all mothers and infants was conducted through the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and University of East London (UEL) Drugs and Infancy Study (DAISY) that focused on recreational drug use in pregnant women (Moore DG et al, 2010; Moore DG et al, 2011).…”

“…When the same cohort was followed over the first year of life, motor delays were seen at four months and persisted to 12 months of age. MDMA-exposed infants were delayed in standing and walking progressions as well as in mental development, with a dose-response relationship of heavier exposure predicting greater delay, after control for confounding variables (Singer LT et al, 2012b). At 24 months, the heavier group also had motor deficits compared to light and non-exposed children (Singer LT et al, 2015).…”

Consequências à criança do uso de drogas durante a gestação: um artigo de revisão

“…As crianças expostas a altas doses apresentaram baixo desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo, mesmo após correções para exposição a outras drogas. 33 Estudo americano de 2012 avaliou crianças de 3 e 5 anos de idade expostas a metanfetamina durante a gravidez na busca por problemas de comportamento. Em ambas as idades, foram encontradas reações emocionais exageradas e problemas de ansiedade e depressão.…”