Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Low birth weight and preterm births: etiologic fraction attributable to prenatal drug exposure
Henrietta S Bada1, Abhik Das, Charles R Bauer
1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
Objectives:
To determine the factors that would increase the likelihood of outcomes: low birth weight (LBW), preterm births and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
Study Design:
Secondary data analysis from a multi-center study. Risk factors for each outcome were derived from logistic regression models. Odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals, and population-attributable risk proportions (PAR%) were estimated.
Results:
Prenatal cocaine exposure increased the likelihood of LBW (OR: 3.59), prematurity (OR: 1.25), and IUGR (OR: 2.24). Tobacco, but not marijuana, significantly influenced these outcomes. Alcohol had an effect on LBW and IUGR. Etiologic fractions (PAR%) attributable to tobacco for LBW, prematurity, and IUGR were 5.57, 3.66, and 13.79%, respectively. With additional drug exposure including cocaine, estimated summary PAR% increased to 7.20% (LBW), 5.68% (prematurity), and 17.96% (IUGR).
Conclusion:
Disease burden for each outcome increases with each added drug exposure; however, etiologic fraction attributable to tobacco is greater than for cocaine.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Teratogenicity
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

