Amphetamine addiction during pregnancy: 10-year follow-up

Sixty-five children born to women who all used amphetamine during pregnancy have been followed prospectively since birth 1976-77. They have been tested and examined at one, 4 and 8 years of age. In addition, information about the school situation was collected after 10 years. Twenty percent of the children were put in foster homes at birth, and after 10 years 70% were in foster homes. The children showed a normal intellectual capacity. However, at 10 years of age 8 children (12%) attended one class below what was normal for their biological age (normal in Sweden < 5%). At 4 years of age 35% had an aggressive behaviour and at 8 years 23%. There was a statistically significant correlation between aggressive behaviour and amphetamine exposure during fetal life. At both 4 and 8 years of age 40% were considered to have a poor adjustment, which correlated with socio-environmental factors. Lower values for weight and length also showed a correlation with socio-environmental factors. The study shows that amphetamine abuse during pregnancy will influence development of exposed children at least up to the age of 10 years.