Growth, Development, and Behavior in Early Childhood Following Prenatal Cocaine Exposure

Frank, Deborah A.; Augustyn, Marilyn; Knight, Wanda Grant; Pell, Tripler; Zuckerman, Barry

doi:10.1001/jama.285.12.1613

Cited by 477 publications

(264 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…Not one of seven published studies using parent-report measures of behavior problems have found significant effects of PCE. [3][4][5] In contrast, four of the five studies using teacher-report measures have reported significant findings. [6][7][8][9] However, all were based on the same cohort.…”

mentioning

confidence: 89%

Predicting Caregiver-Reported Behavior Problems in Cocaine-Exposed Children at 3 Years

Warner

Behnke

Hou

et al. 2006

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

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Predictors of caregiver-reported behavior problems for 3-year-olds with prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) and matched controls were examined using structural equation modeling. We tested whether PCE had a direct effect on child behavior problems in a model that included other prenatal drug exposure, child sex, caregiver depression, and the quality of the child's home environment. The sample (N = 256) was drawn from a longitudinal, prospective study of children of (predominantly crack) cocaine-using women and controls matched on race, socioeconomic status, parity, and pregnancy risk. Child Behavior Problems was modeled as a latent variable composed of the 48-item Conners' Parent Report Scale Conduct Problem and ImpulsiveHyperactive scales and the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory Intensity scale. Caregiver depression was the only significant predictor of Child Behavior Problems. Mean levels of caregiver selfreported depression and reported child behavior problems did not differ between groups. Mean depression scores were well above the recommended clinical cutoff while mean child behavior problems scores were within normal limits. The model explained 21% of the variance in caregiver-reported child behavior problems in our sample of rural African American, low SES youngsters. Non-maternal caregivers of cocaine-exposed children had significantly lower mean depression scores and mean child behavior problems ratings for 2 of 3 scales used in the study compared to biological mothers of children with PCE and controls. For all groups, much larger proportions of children were rated as having clinically significant behavior problems than would be expected based on the prevalence of behavior problems in the general population.Since the coining of the term "crack baby" in the 1980s, dire predictions have been made about the developmental outcomes of children with prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE). These premature forecasts were based, in part, on research conducted using animal models in which considerable deleterious effects of PCE on offspring were found as well as in case reports and clinical studies of polydrug users. Early controlled studies of neonates and young infants with PCE did indicate difficulties with state and behavioral regulation including problems with alertness, orientation, irritability, and arousal-modulated attention which raised the concern that these children could be at risk for externalizing behavior problems in the future. 1 While well-designed prospective studies in humans during the past decade have yielded more equivocal results, most studies have been consistent with the conclusion that PCE exerts clinically subtle but statistically significant effects that could result in considerable costs to society. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author ManuscriptThe literature on child behavior problems in children with PCE, as with other developmental outcomes, is plagued by conflicting findings. Not one of seven published studies using parent-report measures of behavior probl...

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mentioning

confidence: 89%

Predicting Caregiver-Reported Behavior Problems in Cocaine-Exposed Children at 3 Years

Warner

Behnke

Hou

et al. 2006

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

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show abstract

“…Exposed infants were stigmatized as a biologically doomed underclass. Today, fetal exposure to crack or cocaine is considered no more harmful than exposure to tobacco or alcohol 5 , but criminal prosecution of pregnant women who take such drugs continues.…”

Section: Alarming Precedentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Society: Don't blame the mothers

Richardson

Daniels

Gillman

et al. 2014

Nature

223

151

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“…A 2001 review of 36 peer-reviewed articles revealed that in most domains, the neurobiological effects of PCE play a subtle role, with effects no greater than other known teratogens or environmental factors [12]. Associations between PCE and negative developmental outcomes were typically attenuated when models included conditions that commonly co-occur with PCE (e.g., tobacco or alcohol exposure, malnutrition, poor quality of care).…”

Section: Postpartummentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Prenatal Cocaine Exposure on Human Pregnancy and Postpartum

Malek¹

2012

Pharm Anal Acta

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Growth, Development, and Behavior in Early Childhood Following Prenatal Cocaine Exposure

Cited by 477 publications

References 91 publications

Predicting Caregiver-Reported Behavior Problems in Cocaine-Exposed Children at 3 Years

Predicting Caregiver-Reported Behavior Problems in Cocaine-Exposed Children at 3 Years

Society: Don't blame the mothers

Effects of Prenatal Cocaine Exposure on Human Pregnancy and Postpartum

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