Examines growth parameters at birth in 204 infants born to mothers who used cocaine and/or opiates during pregnancy. Outcome measures included birth weight, length, and head circumference. Study provides support that in utero cocaine exposure may confer more risk for somatic growth retardation at birth than opiate exposure. (Author/GCP)

Notes that prenatal exposure to cocaine may result in broad range of deficits. Reviews pharmacological properties of cocaine critical to neurological and behavioral outcomes. Delineates specific multilevel and multidisciplinary interventions with family unit. Advocates that services for each child be based on individual strengths and weaknesses…

Presents an overview of 26 children prenatally exposed to crack or cocaine and a case study of one focal child. Notes that the children are in stable home settings. Describes the success in the development of literacy of the majority of the children as they moved through preschool and elementary school. (SG)

Assesses the relation between cocaine use and the risk of low birth weight in Alameda County (California) through a population-based case-control study of women with low birth-weight infants. Results show that cocaine use increases the risk of both pre-term delivery and intrauterine growth retardation. Limitations of this study are discussed. (JS)

Reviews literature on prevalence, mechanisms of fetal toxicity, effects of exposure, socioeconomic factors, and social-support programs to increase awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine. Emphasizes the need for drug education and social-support programs for disadvantaged pregnant women to prevent and control cocaine use. (EMK)

Twenty-four children, ages 14 to 50 months, with a history of prenatal exposure to multiple drugs including cocaine but living in stable drug-free environments were tested. Comparison with non-exposed children found significant differences between groups on two of three standardized tests of language development, with almost half of the exposed…

Advocates the use of criminal prosecution of pregnant women who abuse illegal substances. Discusses the views that use of drugs is a form of illness and that pregnant women should be exempt from laws. Concludes that court supervision and sanctions can improve treatment. Argues that punishment and treatment need not be mutually exclusive and…

Ten infants, 2 to 11 months of age, who tested positive for cocaine at birth, were assessed by means of the Battelle Developmental Inventory and a questionnaire administered to the infants' foster parents. Seven of the infants evidenced measurable delays that legally (in California) mandated intervention. The most effective caretaking behaviors…

The media have sensationalized the problem presented by children exposed prenatally to cocaine. Many people erroneously assume that all cocaine-exposed children are severely affected; little can be done for them; and all their medical, behavioral, and learning problems are caused by cocaine exposure. Each child must be individually evaluated. Not…

Describes the patterns of literacy development in children from stable home environments who were prenatally exposed to crack or cocaine. Finds that the children continued to develop in an age-appropriate manner, with only seven children receiving special education support. Concludes with a case study highlighting the importance of classroom…

Reviews clinical issues relating to addiction (particularly cocaine) and family systems, outlining their impact on developmental and behavioral outcomes for children. Preliminary studies of children prenatally exposed to cocaine suggests the majority are of low-average to average intelligence, but suffer from distractibility, impulsivity,…

Examines whether crack-exposed children are necessarily doomed for failure and why specialized educational policies and programs are necessary. Reviews relevant research and explores implications of early-intervention and school-based programs. Punitive policies against crack users have displaced need for policy work in education. (Conatains 48…

This study compared the interactive behavior of 20 cocaine-using mothers and their neonates with a control group of drug-free mothers and newborns. Cocaine-exposed infants were asleep or distressed for significantly longer periods, and cocaine-using mothers spent significantly more time disengaged from, and passively looking at, infants than did…

Foster care children (N=27), ages 1-29 months, who were exposed in-utero to cocaine and other drugs were evaluated for neurodevelopmental status, caregiver sensitivity, and other factors. Findings indicate that 28% were at risk for cognitive delay and over half exhibited suspect or abnormal neurological signs. Implications for intervention,…

Comparison of the language development profiles of five children exposed prenatally to cocaine and associated risk factors with those of a matched nonexposed control group found that major differences between the two groups were in discourse-pragmatics, with less marked differences in syntactic development. (Author/DB)