Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 31, 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

Outcomes for infants exposed in utero to illicit drugs

P K Jaudes1, E E Ekwo

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, IL, USA.

Child Welfare
|July 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Substance-exposed infants who experience maltreatment face increased risks of out-of-home placement and death compared to those not abused. Close monitoring is recommended for these vulnerable children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Child Welfare
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Substance-exposed infants are a vulnerable population.
  • Maltreatment poses significant risks to child development and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the risk of out-of-home placement for maltreated, substance-exposed infants.
  • To assess the mortality risk for maltreated, substance-exposed infants compared to the general population.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from 513 infants born at a Chicago medical center (1985-1990).
  • Utilized sociodemographic data, Illinois death registry, and child abuse reports.
  • Compared outcomes for substance-exposed infants with and without maltreatment.

Main Results:

  • Maltreated, substance-exposed infants showed a significantly higher likelihood of out-of-home placement.
  • These infants also faced a distinctly higher risk of death.
  • Combined exposure to substances and maltreatment strongly predicted adverse outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Maltreatment exacerbates the risks faced by substance-exposed infants.
  • These children require close follow-up and targeted interventions.
  • Findings highlight the critical need for integrated child protective services and substance abuse support.

More Related Videos

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development15:27

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development

Published on: July 13, 2014

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes05:13

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Published on: February 28, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
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...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...