Prenatal exposure: The effects of prenatal cocaine and methamphetamine exposure on the developing child

Abstract

Prenatal substance use remains a significant issue in the United States. Initial reports regarding prenatal cocaine and methamphetamine exposure suggested profound adverse effects on child development. However, subsequent prospective, longitudinal investigations have found more subtle effects. What follows is a brief review of the health, growth, behavioral, and intellectual outcomes for children exposed to prenatal cocaine and prenatal methamphetamine. Factors that may mitigate or intensify subtle adverse effects manifested in exposed children will also be discussed. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 108:142-146, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Evidence for the Effectiveness and Acceptability of e-SBI or e-SBIRT in the Management of Alcohol and Illicit Substance Use in Pregnant and Post-partum Women

“…More recently, well-designed longitudinal studies controlling for other drug use and the postnatal environment of exposed children have found less deleterious outcomes. Notwithstanding, after controlling for other drug use and a wide range of psychosocial factors, prenatal exposure to both methamphetamine and cocaine have been associated with being born preterm, decreased birth weight, length and head circumference [see (97)(98)(99)(100) for reviews]. Catchup growth in cocaine exposed children has been reported by 6 years of age (98).…”

“…Notwithstanding, after controlling for other drug use and a wide range of psychosocial factors, prenatal exposure to both methamphetamine and cocaine have been associated with being born preterm, decreased birth weight, length and head circumference [see (97)(98)(99)(100) for reviews]. Catchup growth in cocaine exposed children has been reported by 6 years of age (98). Catch up in weight and head circumference has been found for methamphetamine-exposed children but not height (101).…”

“…In a cross-national study, a stronger negative effect of methamphetamine on infant and child length/height was reported for US children compared to New Zealand (NZ) children ( 101 ). Unlike opioid exposure, no clear withdrawal syndrome has been observed in stimulant exposed children, but both cocaine and methamphetamine exposure are associated with disturbed neurobehavior at birth and 1 month postnatally ( 98 , 102 ). Poorer state regulation, quality of movement, lower arousal, and increased CNS stress were observed in exposed children compared to non-exposed comparison groups.…”

Perinatal substance use, residential instability, and negative behavioral outcomes among adolescents: Lessons from the maternal lifestyle study

“…Children born to mothers struggling with substance abuse are at risk for adverse outcomes, including physical, cognitive, and behavioral abnormalities (National Council on Child Abuse and Family Violence, ; Richardson, Goldschmidt, Larkby, & Day, ; Smith & Santos, ). Additionally, environmental problems may pose problems for these families, including difficulties with housing (Cowal, Shinn, Weitzman, Stojanovic, & Labay, ; Zlotnick, Robertson, & Tam, ).…”

Autodeclaración del consumo de marihuana, tabaco, alcohol y derivados de cocaína en embarazadas en 2013 y 2016, Montevideo, Uruguay

“…En cuanto al crecimiento, se asocia a menor peso al nacer, longitud y perímetro cefálico. Durante la niñez se observan alteraciones en el coeficiente intelectual y atención, con mayor incidencia de déficits atencionales e hiperactividad (Smith y Santos, 2016). En Uruguay el consumo y tenencia de sustancias psicoactivas para uso personal no es penado por la ley.…”