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 .
Birthweight and cognitive development during childhood.
OBJECTIVES Low birthweight has been reported to be associated with lower IQ at school age . Further , some evidence suggests that the association extends across the range of normal birthweights . This study assessed the relationship of birthweight to cognitive development in the Port Pirie birth cohort . METHODS Of 723 singleton live births recruited into a prospect i ve birth cohort study , 601 , 548 , 494 and 375 children were followed at ages 2 , 4 , 7 and 11 - 13 years , respectively . The children 's developmental status was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at age 2 years , the McCarthy Scales of Children 's Abilities at age 4 years , and the revised Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children at ages 7 and 11 - 13 years . The association between birthweight and cognitive function was assessed with multiple linear regression , adjusting for a wide range of possible confounders . RESULTS The  mean birthweight was 3386 g ( SD : 517 ) . There was a statistically significant association between birthweight and cognitive performance at age 2 years ( adjusted deficit : 0.97 points per 100 g lighter ; 95 % CI : 0.4 - 1.5 ) , but the magnitude of this association gradually decreased and became statistically non-significant at later childhood . CONCLUSIONS The relationship between birthweight and cognitive development becomes progressively attenuated at increasing age . At older ages , socioenvironmental factors appear to play an increasingly important part in children 's cognitive development
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 .