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Behavior Problems During Early Childhood in Children With Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure

Elaine K Chu1, Lynne M Smith2, Chris Derauf3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Lundquist Institute, Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center and David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.

Pediatrics
|November 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal methamphetamine exposure did not impact child behavior problems up to age 7.5. However, caregiver mental health and home environment quality significantly predicted behavioral outcomes in children.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to methamphetamine (MA) and its long-term effects on child behavior remain incompletely understood.
  • This study investigates behavioral development in children exposed to MA in utero.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate behavior problems in children at ages 3, 5, and 7.5 years following prenatal methamphetamine exposure.
  • To identify predictors of behavioral outcomes in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal prospective study (Infant Development, Environment, and Lifestyle study) of 339 children (171 exposed to MA).
  • Behavioral problems assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist at ages 3, 5, and 7.5 years.
  • Generalized estimating equations used to analyze effects; caregiver psychological symptoms and home environment quality assessed.

Main Results:

  • No significant main effects of prenatal MA exposure or interaction effects with age on child behavior problems were found.
  • Children exhibited developmental changes in behavior, including decreased externalizing/aggressive behavior and increased internalizing/somatic complaints with age.
  • Caregiver psychological symptoms predicted all behavior problems; home environment quality predicted externalizing problems.

Conclusions:

  • Longitudinal behavioral effects from ages 3 to 7.5 years were not associated with prenatal methamphetamine exposure.
  • Caregiver psychological symptoms and home environment quality are significant predictors of child behavior problems, independent of prenatal MA exposure.
Abstract

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