This meta- analysis showed no significant impairments , at a non-conservative significance level of p < 0.05 , for cognitive , psychomotor or observed behavioural outcomes for chronic intra-uterine exposed infants and pre-school children compared to non-exposed infants and children .
However , all domains suggested a trend to poor outcomes in infants/children of opioid using mothers .
Conclusions Chronic intra-uterine opioid exposed infants and pre-school children experienced no significant impairment in neurobehavioral outcomes when compared to non-exposed peers , although in all domains there was a trend to poorer outcomes .
Background It is assumed within the accumulated literature that children born of pregnant opioid dependent mothers have impaired neurobehavioral function as a consequence of chronic intrauterine opioid use .
Foster-Placed and Adopted Children Exposed In Utero to Opiates and Other Substances: Prediction and Outcome at Four and a Half Years
ABSTRACT . This article presents a Norwegian prospect i ve , longitudinal study of children prenatally exposed to opiates and other substances under conditions of minimal postnatal social risk . Outcome at 4½ years of age is presented . The study reports on the prediction of later intellectual performance , on the basis of the children ’s prenatal , perinatal , and early developmental status , as well as the foster or adoptive parents ’ socioeconomic level . Significant differences were found between the substance-exposed group and the comparison group on the Bayley Scales at age 1 year and on the McCarthy Scales at age 4½ years . The findings showed that although the mean cognitive scores were within normal limits at age 4½ years , a special weakness in the area of visual-motor and perceptual abilities was detected among the substance-exposed children . It is indicated that these areas of performance are especially sensitive to the effect of prenatal adversity . A special vulnerability among the substance-exposed boys , detected at an earlier age , persisted at 4½ years . The study indicates that even if children experience adequate caregiving , the accumulation of biomedical risk factors associated with prenatal substance exposure is still a potential determinant of developmental problems , especially in the area of perceptual-performance functions . The study also hints at differential influences of biomedical and environmental variables on outcome at age 4½ years
This meta- analysis showed no significant impairments , at a non-conservative significance level of p < 0.05 , for cognitive , psychomotor or observed behavioural outcomes for chronic intra-uterine exposed infants and pre-school children compared to non-exposed infants and children .
However , all domains suggested a trend to poor outcomes in infants/children of opioid using mothers .
Conclusions Chronic intra-uterine opioid exposed infants and pre-school children experienced no significant impairment in neurobehavioral outcomes when compared to non-exposed peers , although in all domains there was a trend to poorer outcomes .
Background It is assumed within the accumulated literature that children born of pregnant opioid dependent mothers have impaired neurobehavioral function as a consequence of chronic intrauterine opioid use .