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Effects of cocaine and alcohol use in pregnancy on neonatal growth and neurobehavioral status
C D Coles1, K A Platzman, I Smith
1Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
Insights
Prenatal cocaine and alcohol exposure can impact newborn behavior and growth. This study carefully controlled for confounding factors to clarify these effects in a vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Neonatal Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited research exists on neonatal behavioral outcomes following prenatal cocaine exposure, especially when controlling for confounding variables.
- Public concern regarding increased cocaine use during pregnancy highlights the need for methodologically sound studies.
- Previous studies often failed to control for factors like polydrug abuse, prematurity, and infant health status, obscuring the true effects of specific drug exposures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific effects of prenatal cocaine and alcohol exposure on fetal growth and neonatal behavior.
- To control for known confounding factors associated with poor infant outcomes, including other illicit drug use, STDs, and prematurity.
- To assess the impact of drug exposure duration, amount, and frequency on neonatal development.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 107 full-term infants born to women in a low-income, predominantly Black population.
- Infants were assessed at 2, 14, and 28 days using the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS) by blinded testers.
- Controlled for prematurity, polydrug use, STDs, experimenter effects, timing of assessment, and drug exposure variables (duration, amount, frequency).
- Fetal growth parameters including birthweight, length, and head circumference were also measured.
Main Results:
- Detailed results on specific behavioral and growth outcomes are not provided in the abstract.
- The study design aimed to isolate the effects of cocaine and alcohol from other potential influences.
- Controlled assessments allowed for a clearer understanding of drug-specific impacts on neonates.
Conclusions:
- This study provides a controlled investigation into the effects of prenatal drug exposure on neonatal outcomes.
- Findings aim to clarify the specific impacts of cocaine and alcohol, distinct from other confounding factors.
- Results contribute to a better understanding of risks associated with substance use during pregnancy in specific populations.
Abstract:
Effects on fetal growth and neonatal behavior of cocaine and alcohol use in pregnancy were investigated in infants born to women in a low-income, predominantly black population. Despite the increased use of cocaine by pregnant women and the accompanying public concern, behavioral studies of exposed neonates are limited in number and scope. In most studies, confounding factors (e.g., polydrug abuse, prematurity, infant health status) have not been controlled so the actual effects of cocaine and other drug exposure are not clear. Accordingly, this study investigated effects of prenatal drug exposure although controlling experimentally for other factors known to be associated with poor outcomes in infants: prematurity, other illicit drug use, associated diseases (e.g., sexually transmitted diseases [STDs]), and duration of drug use. In addition, other factors statistically controlled were: experimenter effects, timing of assessment, and effects of duration, amount, and frequency of cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine exposure. One hundred and seven full-term infants were assessed at 2, 14, and 28 days using the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS) by testers blind to infant status. Growth factors (i.e., birthweight, length, head circumference) were also assessed.