Behavior Problems During Early Childhood in Children With Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The effects of in utero methamphetamine exposure on behavioral problems in school-aged children are unclear. Our objective for this study was to evaluate behavior problems in children at aged 3, 5, and 7.5 years who were prenatally exposed to methamphetamine. METHODS: Subjects were enrolled in the Infant Development, Environment, and Lifestyle study, a longitudinal prospective study of prenatal methamphetamine exposure and child outcomes. Exposed and comparison groups were matched on birth weight, race, education, and health insurance. At ages 3, 5, and 7.5 years, 339 children (171 exposed) were assessed for behavior problems by using the Child Behavior Checklist. Generalized estimating equations were used to determine the effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure, age, and the interaction of exposure and age on behavior problems. Caregiver psychological symptoms were assessed by using the Brief Symptom Inventory. RESULTS: Analyses adjusted for covariates revealed that relative to age 3, children at 5 years had less externalizing and aggressive behavior and more internalizing behavior, somatic complaints, and withdrawn behavior. By age 7.5, aggressive behavior continued to decrease, attention problems increased and withdrawn behavior decreased. There were no main effects for methamphetamine exposure and no interactions of exposure and age. Caregiver psychological symptoms predicted all behavior problems and the quality of the home predicted externalizing problems and externalizing syndrome scores. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioral effects longitudinally from ages 3 to 7.5 years were not associated with prenatal methamphetamine exposure, whereas caregiver psychological symptoms and the quality of the home were predictors of behavior problems.

Pädiatrie aktuell – Forschung kurz notiert

“…Gute kontrollierte multivariate Analysen lagen dazu bisher allerdings nicht vor. Eine kalifornische Studie [ 5 ] untersuchte nun das Verhalten von Kindern im Alter von 3, 5 und 7,5 Jahren mithilfe der Child Behavior Checklist . Von den 339 in die Studie eingeschlossenen Kindern hatten 171 in utero eine Methamphethaminexposition, 168 nichtbelastete Kinder wurden als Kontrollgruppe gegenübergestellt.…”

Assessment of Psychosocial and Neonatal Risk Factors for Trajectories of Behavioral Dysregulation Among Young Children From 18 to 72 Months of Age

“…Children born preterm (<37 weeks’ gestation), and children whose parents have co-occurring psychological and substance use challenges are at elevated risk for persisting dysregulation . Moreover, prematurity, in combination with environmental adversity has been associated with childhood anxiety, attention, mood, and social-communicative disorders that persist into adulthood .…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Children born preterm (<37 weeks' gestation), and children whose parents have co-occurring psychological and substance use challenges are at elevated risk for persisting dysregulation. [12][13][14][15][16] Moreover, prematurity, in combination with environmental adversity has been associated with childhood anxiety, attention, mood, and social-communicative disorders that persist into adulthood. [17][18][19] Preterm children's outcomes differed from term-born children's outcomes, [20][21][22] whereas psychosocial factors were associated with behavioral dysregulation similarly across various samples.…”

“…26 The latter 3 subscores compose the Dysregulation Profile (CBCL-DP), a global indicator of risk for major impairments throughout adolescence and adulthood. 2,12,20,27,28 Early dysregulation expressed as difficulties with attention, emotional regulation, and social relationships has been found to persist through childhood, 15,29 with demonstrated significance identifying subsequent suicidality, 4,30 substance use, 31 attention deficits, bipolar and major depression, anxiety, and disruptive behavior disorders into adulthood. 3,4 While prior studies have documented individual medical, economic, and social risk factors for poor behavioral regulation, less is known about the earliest risk factors associated with persisting dysregulation among US children.…”

“… 26 The latter 3 subscores compose the Dysregulation Profile (CBCL-DP), a global indicator of risk for major impairments throughout adolescence and adulthood. 2 , 12 , 20 , 27 , 28 Early dysregulation expressed as difficulties with attention, emotional regulation, and social relationships has been found to persist through childhood, 15 , 29 with demonstrated significance identifying subsequent suicidality, 4 , 30 substance use, 31 attention deficits, bipolar and major depression, anxiety, and disruptive behavior disorders into adulthood. 3 , 4 …”