Psychopathology and Special Education Enrollment in Children With Prenatal Cocaine Exposure

Abstract

Objective This study evaluated how enrollment in special education services in 11 year old children relates to prenatal cocaine exposure, psychopathology, and other risk factors. Method Participants were 498 children enrolled in The Maternal Lifestyle Study, a prospective, longitudinal, multisite study examining outcomes of children with prenatal cocaine exposure. Logistic regression was used to examine the effect of prenatal cocaine exposure and psychopathology on enrollment in an individualized education plan (a designation specific to children with special education needs), with environmental, maternal, and infant medical variables as covariates. Results Prenatal cocaine exposure, an interaction of prenatal cocaine exposure and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, child Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, parent-reported internalizing behaviors, and teacher-reported externalizing behaviors, predicted enrollment in an individualized education plan. Other statistically significant variables in the model were male gender, low birth weight, being small for gestational age, white race, caregiver change, low socio-economic status, low child intelligence quotient, caregiver depression, and prenatal marijuana exposure. Conclusions Prenatal cocaine exposure increased the likelihood of receiving an individualized education plan with adjustment for covariates. Psychopathology also predicted this special education outcome, in combination with and independent of prenatal cocaine exposure.

Systematic Review of Prenatal Cocaine Exposure and Adolescent Development

“…35 One study reported greater enrollment in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) among the PCE group. 45 Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) moderated the association, with the PCE/ODD group more likely to have an IEP than youth with only 1 condition (ODD or PCE). 45 …”

“…45 Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) moderated the association, with the PCE/ODD group more likely to have an IEP than youth with only 1 condition (ODD or PCE). 45 …”

“…Eight studies addressed cognition/school performance ( 45 One study found an enduring relationship between PCE and lower language performance scores. 49 Another found atypical language processing among the PCE group.…”

“…Six of the 8 studies examined prenatal tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana exposure [35][36][37]45,48,49 ; 1 included prenatal tobacco and alcohol only. 24 Five measured exposures as any versus none (Table 5).…”

“…21 Six studies from 1 cohort defined "heavy" as first trimester use $3 times per week. 19,20,22,25,44,45 Four studies from 1 cohort defined "heavy" as at n/a…”