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Blood pressure in children exposed prenatally to cocaine

R Needlman1, D A Frank, H Cabral

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Clinical Pediatrics
|November 24, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal cocaine exposure may affect autonomic nervous system function and lead to hypertension. However, this study found no significant difference in blood pressure between cocaine-exposed and non-exposed young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Cardiovascular Research

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to substances like cocaine is a concern for child development.
  • Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction and hypertension are potential consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal cocaine exposure and blood pressure in young children.
  • To determine if cocaine exposure alters autonomic nervous system function impacting blood pressure.

Main Methods:

  • Blood pressure was measured using oscillometry in children aged 8-26 months.
  • A convenience sample included cocaine-exposed (n=32) and non-exposed (n=23) children.
  • Examiners were blinded to the exposure status of the children.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant difference was observed in systolic blood pressure between the cocaine-exposed and non-exposed groups.
  • Systolic blood pressure means were 102.3 +/- 9.9 mmHg for exposed and 119.1 +/- 19.4 mmHg for non-exposed children.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal cocaine exposure does not appear to be associated with elevated blood pressure in early childhood.
  • Further research may be needed to explore other potential long-term effects on autonomic nervous system function.

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