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Prenatal methamphetamine exposure and childhood behavior problems at 3 and 5 years of age

Linda L LaGasse1, Chris Derauf, Lynne M Smith

  • 1Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University and Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA. linda_lagasse@brown.edu

Pediatrics
|March 21, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal methamphetamine (MA) exposure is linked to significant behavior problems in children by age 5, including emotional reactivity and attention deficits. This highlights a critical public health issue requiring early intervention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to substances like methamphetamine (MA) can impact child development.
  • Understanding the long-term behavioral consequences of prenatal MA exposure is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate behavior problems in children with prenatal MA exposure at ages 3 and 5.
  • To identify specific behavioral outcomes associated with prenatal MA exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, longitudinal study (Infant Development, Environment, and Lifestyle) with matched exposed and comparison groups.
  • Prenatal MA exposure determined by maternal report and/or meconium screening.
  • Behavioral assessments using the Child Behavior Checklist at ages 3 and 5, analyzed with general linear mixed models.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal MA exposure associated with increased emotional reactivity and anxious/depressed problems at both ages.
  • Externalizing and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder problems observed by age 5 in exposed children.
  • Heavy MA exposure linked to attention problems and withdrawn behavior at both ages.

Conclusions:

  • This study is the first to report behavior problems in children as young as 3 years associated with MA exposure.
  • Prenatal MA exposure presents a significant public health concern.
  • Further follow-up is needed to inform the development of preventive interventions for affected children.
Abstract

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