Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 20, 2026

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

88.1K

Prenatal substance exposure diagnosed at birth and infant involvement with child protective services

John J Prindle1, Ivy Hammond1, Emily Putnam-Hornstein1

  • 1Children's Data Network, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, United States.

Child Abuse & Neglect
|October 28, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Infants exposed to substances before birth face higher risks of child protective services (CPS) involvement. This study highlights significant variations in CPS reporting and foster care placement based on the type of substance exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Social Work

Background:

  • Infants experience the highest rates of maltreatment reports and foster care entries.
  • Prenatal substance exposure is a suspected factor in early child protective services (CPS) involvement.
  • Limited data exist on the relationship between prenatal substance exposure and CPS involvement, especially by substance type.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the population prevalence of medically diagnosed prenatal substance exposure and neonatal withdrawal disorders.
  • To examine the association between prenatal substance exposure and CPS involvement in the first year of life, considering substance type.
  • To adjust for sociodemographic and health factors in analyzing CPS involvement rates.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized linked birth, hospital discharge, and CPS records from California.
  • Analyzed data for 551,232 infants born in 2006.
  • Estimated population prevalence and explored CPS involvement rates, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

  • 1.45% of infants were diagnosed with prenatal substance exposure at birth.
  • 61.2% of exposed infants were reported to CPS before age one; 29.9% entered foster care.
  • Prenatal substance exposure strongly predicted CPS involvement, with significant variations by substance type.

Conclusions:

  • Medically diagnosed prenatal substance exposure is a significant pathway to CPS involvement in infancy.
  • The type of substance exposed prenatally influences the likelihood and level of CPS intervention.
  • Further research is necessary to understand the long-term outcomes for these infants and the role of CPS.

Keywords:
Child protective servicesMaltreatmentPrenatal substance exposure

More Related Videos

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats11:01

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats

Published on: December 14, 2014

10.3K
The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders19:57

The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Published on: August 5, 2017

8.9K

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
4.3K
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
1.1K
Intellectual Disability01:29

Intellectual Disability

Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
824
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
1.3K
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
278
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
463