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Evaluation of three-year neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants prenatally exposed to substance use

Pilar Jarque1, Miguel Carmona2, Antonia Roca1

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Son Espases University Hospital, Valldemossa Road, 79, Palma de Mallorca 07120, Spain; Pediatric Multidisciplinary Research Group of Balearic Islands Health Research Institute (IdISBa), Valldemossa Road, 79, Palma de Mallorca 07120, Spain.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|April 19, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal substance exposure can impact child neurodevelopment. Male infants exposed to cannabis in utero showed the most significant language delays at three years old, highlighting the need for early intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental science
  • Pediatric toxicology
  • Prenatal health

Background:

  • Prenatal substance use is linked to long-term neurodevelopmental deficits in children.
  • Understanding these impacts is crucial for early intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal substance exposure and neurodevelopment (cognitive, motor, language) at three years of age.
  • To identify specific domains and demographic groups most affected by prenatal substance exposure.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective matched case-control study design.
  • Biomarkers of fetal exposure measured in meconium samples.
  • Neurodevelopment assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III).

Main Results:

  • Male infants exposed to cannabis prenatally showed significant delays in language development.
  • Infants exposed to any substance had lower overall scores across all domains compared to controls.
  • Prenatal cannabis exposure was associated with lower cognitive and motor scores, particularly in males.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal cannabis exposure poses a significant risk for language developmental delay in male infants.
  • Early detection of neurodevelopmental disorders enables timely intervention and therapeutic planning.
  • Findings underscore the importance of addressing prenatal substance use to mitigate long-term child developmental impacts.
Abstract

Keywords:
InfantsNeonatal intensive care unitNeurodevelopmentPrenatal exposureSubstance use

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