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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Psychopathology and special education enrollment in children with prenatal cocaine exposure

Todd P Levine1, Barry Lester, Linda Lagasse

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Alpert Brown Medical School and Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA. TLevine@wihri.org

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|April 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) and child psychopathology significantly increase the likelihood of 11-year-olds needing special education services, including individualized education plans (IEPs). This highlights critical early-life risk factors for educational support.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) is a significant concern with potential long-term developmental impacts.
  • Understanding factors influencing special education enrollment is crucial for early intervention.
  • Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are key services for children with special needs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) and enrollment in special education services among 11-year-old children.
  • To examine the role of psychopathology and other risk factors in predicting IEP enrollment.
  • To analyze the combined and independent effects of PCE and psychopathology on special education outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, longitudinal, multisite study of 498 children from The Maternal Lifestyle Study.
  • Logistic regression analysis to assess the impact of PCE and psychopathology on IEP enrollment.
  • Inclusion of environmental, maternal, and infant medical variables as covariates.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) was a significant predictor of IEP enrollment.
  • Child psychopathology, including oppositional defiant disorder and ADHD, also predicted IEP enrollment.
  • Other significant factors included male gender, low birth weight, caregiver changes, low socioeconomic status, and caregiver depression.

Conclusions:

  • PCE independently increases the likelihood of receiving an IEP.
  • Psychopathology is a significant predictor of special education needs, both with and without PCE.
  • These findings underscore the importance of addressing prenatal exposures and child mental health for educational support.
Abstract

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