With the increasing use of cocaine in the United States, there has been growing concern regarding its effects on the fetuses and neonates of pregnant cocaine abusers. Twenty-three cocaine-using women enrolled in a comprehensive perinatal-addiction program were divided into two groups: those using cocaine only and those using cocaine plus narcotics. These two groups were compared with a group of women who had used narcotics in the past and were maintained on methadone during pregnancy, and with a group of drug-free women. All four groups were similar in maternal age, socioeconomic status, number of pregnancies, and cigarette, marijuana, and alcohol use. Their medical histories indicated that the cocaine-using women had a significantly higher rate of spontaneous abortion than the women in the other two groups. In the pregnancies under study, four cocaine-using women had onset of labor with abruptio placentae immediately after intravenous self-injection of cocaine. Neonatal gestational age, birth weight, length, and head circumference were not affected by cocaine use. However, the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale revealed that infants exposed to cocaine had significant depression of interactive behavior and a poor organizational response to environmental stimuli (state organization). These preliminary observations suggest that cocaine influences the outcome of pregnancy as well as the neurologic behavior of the newborn, but a full assessment will require a larger number of pregnancies and longer follow-up.
This article has been cited by other articles:
Fletcher, J. M., Wolfe, B. L.
(2009). Education and Labor Market Consequences of Teenage Childbearing: Evidence Using the Timing of Pregnancy Outcomes and Community Fixed Effects. J. Human Resources
44: 303-325
[Abstract]
Doris, J. L., Meguid, V., Thomas, M., Blatt, S., Eckenrode, J.
(2006). Prenatal Cocaine Exposure and Child Welfare Outcomes. Child Maltreat
11: 326-337
[Abstract]
Chasnoff, I. J.
(2003). Prenatal Substance Exposure: Maternal Screening and Neonatal Identification and Management. NeoReviews
4: e228-235
[Full Text]
Bada, H S, Bauer, C R, Shankaran, S, Lester, B, Wright, L L, Das, A, Poole, K, Smeriglio, V L, Finnegan, L P, Maza, P L
(2002). Central and autonomic system signs with in utero drug exposure. Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed.
87: F106-112
[Abstract][Full Text]
Behnke, M., Eyler, F. D., Garvan, C. W., Wobie, K.
(2001). The Search for Congenital Malformations in Newborns With Fetal Cocaine Exposure. Pediatrics
107: 74e-74
[Abstract][Full Text]
Lester, B. M., ElSohly, M., Wright, L. L., Smeriglio, V. L., Verter, J., Bauer, C. R., Shankaran, S., Bada, H. S., Walls, H. C., Huestis, M. A., Finnegan, L. P., Maza, P. L.
(2001). The Maternal Lifestyle Study: Drug Use by Meconium Toxicology and Maternal Self-Report. Pediatrics
107: 309-317
[Abstract][Full Text]
Krauss, R. B., Thurman, S. K., Brodsky, N., Betancourt, L., Giannetta, J., Hurt, H.
(2000). Caregiver Interaction Behavior With Prenatally Cocaine-Exposed and Nonexposed Preschoolers. Journal of Early Intervention
23: 62-73
[Abstract]
Marshall, M. F.
(1999). Commentary: Mal-Intentioned Illiteracy, Willful Ignorance, and Fetal Protection Laws: Is There a Lexicologist in the House?. J Law Med Ethics
27: 343-346
Yu, R. C.-T., Lee, T.-C., Wang, T.C., Li, J.-H.
(1999). Genetic toxicity of cocaine. Carcinogenesis
20: 1193-1199
[Abstract][Full Text]
Chiriboga, C. A., Brust, J. C. M., Bateman, D., Hauser, W. A.
(1999). Dose-Response Effect of Fetal Cocaine Exposure on Newborn Neurologic Function. Pediatrics
103: 79-85
[Abstract][Full Text]
Needlman, R., Frank, D. A., Cabral, H., Mirochnick, M., Kwon, C., Zuckerman, B.
(1998). Blood Pressure in Children Exposed Prenatally to Cocaine. CLIN PEDIATR
37: 659-664
[Abstract]
Slotkin, T. A.
(1998). Fetal Nicotine or Cocaine Exposure: Which One is Worse?. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.
285: 931-945
[Abstract][Full Text]
Committee on Drugs,
(1998). Neonatal Drug Withdrawal.. Pediatrics
101: 1079-1079
[Abstract][Full Text]
Eyler, F. D., Behnke, M., Conlon, M., Woods, N. S., Wobie, K.
(1998). Birth Outcome From a Prospective, Matched Study of Prenatal Crack/Cocaine Use: I. Interactive and Dose Effects on Health and Growth. Pediatrics
101: 229-236
[Abstract][Full Text]
Eyler, F. D., Behnke, M., Conlon, M., Woods, N. S., Wobie, K.
(1998). Birth Outcome From a Prospective, Matched Study of Prenatal Crack/Cocaine Use: II. Interactive and Dose Effects on Neurobehavioral Assessment. Pediatrics
101: 237-241
[Abstract][Full Text]
Hurt, H., Malmud, E., Betancourt, L., Braitman, L. E., Brodsky, N. L., Giannetta, J.
(1997). Children With In Utero Cocaine Exposure Do Not Differ From Control Subjects on Intelligence Testing. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
151: 1237-1241
[Abstract]
MacMahon, J. R.
(1997). Perinatal Substance Abuse: The Impact of Reporting Infants to Child Protective Services. Pediatrics
100: e1-e1
[Abstract][Full Text]
Ostrea Jr, E. M., Ostrea, A. R., Simpson, P. M.
(1997). Mortality Within the First 2 Years in Infants Exposed to Cocaine, Opiate, or Cannabinoid During Gestation. Pediatrics
100: 79-83
[Abstract][Full Text]
Mirochnick, M., Meyer, J., Frank, D. A., Cabral, H., Tronick, E. Z., Zuckerman, B.
(1997). Elevated Plasma Norepinephrine After In Utero Exposure to Cocaine and Marijuana. Pediatrics
99: 555-559
[Abstract][Full Text]
Grant, D.
(1996). Generalizability of Findings of Exploratory Practice-Based Research on Polydrug-Addicted Mothers. Research on Social Work Practice
6: 292-307
[Abstract]
Tsay, C. H., Partridge, J. C., Villarreal, S. F., Good, W. V., Ferriero, D. M.
(1996). Neurologic and Ophthalmologic Findings in Children Exposed to Cocaine in Utero. J Child Neurol
11: 25-30
[Abstract]
Maschke, K. J.
(1995). Prosecutors as Crime Creators: The Case of Prenatal Drug Use. Criminal Justice Review
20: 21-33
[Abstract]
Beltran, R., Bell, T., Fisher, S., Ros, S.
(1994). Utility of Laboratory Screening in Cocaine-Exposed Infants. CLIN PEDIATR
33: 683-685
Frassica, J. J., Orav, E. J., Walsh, E. P., Lipshultz, S. E.
(1994). Arrhythmias in Children Prenatally Exposed to Cocaine. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
148: 1163-1169
[Abstract]
Kuller, J. A., Laifer, S. A.
(1994). Preconceptional Counseling and Intervention. Arch Intern Med
154: 2273-2280
[Abstract]
Angelilli, M. L., Fischer, H., Delaney-Black, V., Rubinstein, M., Ager, J. W., Sokol, R. J.
(1994). History of In Utero Cocaine Exposure in Language-Delayed Children. CLIN PEDIATR
33: 514-516
[Abstract]
Singer, L., Arendt, R., Song, L. Y., Warshawsky, E., Kliegman, R.
(1994). Direct and Indirect Interactions of Cocaine With Childbirth Outcomes. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
148: 959-964
[Abstract]
Snodgrass, S. R.
(1994). Cocaine Babies: A Result of Multiple Teratogenic Influences. J Child Neurol
9: 227-233
[Abstract]
Yawn, B. P., Thompson, L. R., Lupo, V. R., Googins, M. K., Yawn, R. A.
(1994). Prenatal Drug Use in Minneapolis^St Paul, Minn: A 4-Year Trend. Arch Fam Med
3: 520-527
[Abstract]
Carta, J. J., Sideridis, G., Rinkel, P., Guimaraes, S., Greenwood, C., Baggett, K., Peterson, P., Atwater, J., McEvoy, M., McConnell, S.
(1994). Behavioral Outcomes of Young Children Prenatally Exposed to Illicit Drugs: Review and Analysis of Experimental Literature. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education
14: 184-216
[Abstract]
Gottwald, S. R., Thurman, S. K.
(1994). The Effects of Prenatal Cocaine Exposure on Mother--Infant Interaction and Infant Arousal in the Newborn Period. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education
14: 217-231
[Abstract]
Brooks-Gunn, J., McCarton, C., Hawley, T.
(1994). Effects of In Utero Drug Exposure on Children's Development: Review and Recommendations. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
148: 33-39
[Abstract]
Wasserman, D. R., Leventhal, J. M.
(1993). Maltreatment of Children Born to Cocaine-Dependent Mothers. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
147: 1324-1328
[Abstract]
Racine, A., Joyce, T., Anderson, R.
(1993). The Association Between Prenatal Care and Birth Weight Among Women Exposed to Cocaine in New York City. JAMA
270: 1581-1586
[Abstract]
Bauer, A. M.
(1993). Children and Youth in Foster Care. Intervention in School and Clinic
28: 134-142
[Abstract]
Yawn, B. P., Yawn, R. A., Uden, D. L.
(1992). Substance Use in Rural Midwestern Pregnant Women. Arch Fam Med
1: 83-88
[Abstract]
Newberger, E. H., Barkan, S. E., Lieberman, E. S., McCormick, M. C., Yllo, K., Gary, L. T., Schechter, S.
(1992). Abuse of Pregnant Women and Adverse Birth Outcome: Current Knowledge and Implications for Practice. JAMA
267: 2370-2372
[Abstract]
MAYES, L. C.
(1992). Prenatal Cocaine Exposure and Young Children's Development. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
521: 11-27
[Abstract]
Konkol, R. J., Doerr, J. K., Madden, J. A.
(1992). Effects of Benzoylecgonine on the Behavior of Suckling Rats: A Preliminary Report. J Child Neurol
7: 87-92
[Abstract]
Schutter, L. S., Brinker, R. P.
(1992). Conjuring a New Category of Disability from Prenatal Cocaine Exposure: Are the Infants Unique Biological or Caretaking Casualties?. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education
11: 84-111
[Abstract]
Rosenberg, N. M., Meert, K. L., Knazik, S. R., Yee, H., Kauffman, R. E.
(1991). Occult Cocaine Exposure in Children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
145: 1430-1432
[Abstract]
Phibbs, C. S., Bateman, D. A., Schwartz, R. M.
(1991). The Neonatal Costs of Maternal Cocaine Use. JAMA
266: 1521-1526
[Abstract]
Carzoli, R. P., Murphy, S. P., Hammer-Knisely, J., Houy, J.
(1991). Evaluation of Auditory Brain-stem Response in Full-term Infants of Cocaine-Abusing Mothers. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
145: 1013-1016
[Abstract]
Link, E. A., Weese-Mayer, D. W., Byrd, S. E.
(1991). Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Infants Exposed to Cocaine Prenatally: A Preliminary Report. CLIN PEDIATR
30: 506-508
Zuckerman, B., Maynard, E. C., Cabral, H.
(1991). A Preliminary Report of Prenatal Cocaine Exposure and Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Premature Infants. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
145: 696-698
[Abstract]
Burchfield, D. J., Lucas, V. W., Abrams, R. M., Miller, R. L., DeVane, C. L.
(1991). Disposition and Pharmacodynamics of Methamphetamine in Pregnant Sheep. JAMA
265: 1968-1973
[Abstract]
Kharasch, S. J., Glotzer, D., Vinci, R., Weitzman, M., Sargent, J.
(1991). Unsuspected Cocaine Exposure in Young Children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
145: 204-206
[Abstract]
Davidson Ward, S. L., Schuetz, S., Wachsman, L., Bean, X. D., Bautista, D., Buckley, S., Sehgal, S., Warburton, D.
(1991). Elevated Plasma Norepinephrine Levels in Infants of Substance-Abusing Mothers. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
145: 44-48
[Abstract]
DOWNING, G. J., HORNER, S. R., KILBRIDE, H. W.
(1991). Characteristics of Perinatal Cocaine-Exposed Infants With Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
145: 26-27
[Abstract]
(1990). Legal Interventions During Pregnancy: Court-Ordered Medical Treatments and Legal Penalties for Potentially Harmful Behavior by Pregnant Women. JAMA
264: 2663-2670
[Abstract]
DINNIES, J. D., DARR, C. D., SAULYS, A. J.
(1990). Cocaine Toxicity in Toddlers. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
144: 743-744
[Abstract]
MAYNARD, E. C.
(1990). Maternal Abuse of Cocaine and Heroin. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
144: 520-521
[Abstract]
Van Dyke, D. C., Fox, A. A.
(1990). Fetal Drug Exposure and Its Possible Implications for Learning in the Preschool and School-Age Population. J Learn Disabil
23: 160-163
[Abstract]
Kramer, L. D., Locke, G. E., Ogunyemi, A., Nelson, L.
(1990). Neonatal Cocaine-Related Seizures. J Child Neurol
5: 60-64
[Abstract]
Chavez, G. F., Mulinare, J., Cordero, J. F.
(1989). Maternal Cocaine Use During Early Pregnancy as a Risk Factor for Congenital Urogenital Anomalies. JAMA
262: 795-798
[Abstract]
Fulroth, R., Phillips, B., Durand, D. J.
(1989). Perinatal Outcome of Infants Exposed to Cocaine and/or Heroin In Utero. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
143: 905-910
[Abstract]
Schnoll, S. H., Karan, L. D.
(1989). Substance Abuse. JAMA
261: 2890-2892
[Abstract]
Chasnoff, I. J., Hunt, C. E., Kletter, R., Kaplan, D.
(1989). Prenatal Cocaine Exposure Is Associated With Respiratory Pattern Abnormalities. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
143: 583-587
[Abstract]
Chasnoff, I. J., Griffith, D. R., MacGregor, S., Dirkes, K., Burns, K. A.
(1989). Temporal Patterns of Cocaine Use in Pregnancy: Perinatal Outcome. JAMA
261: 1741-1744
[Abstract]
Bateman, D. A., Heagarty, M. C.
(1989). Passive Freebase Cocaine ('Crack') Inhalation by Infants and Toddlers. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
143: 25-27
[Abstract]
Telsey, A. M., Merrit, T. A., Dixon, S. D.
(1988). Cocaine Exposure in a Term Neonate: Necrotizing Enterocolitis as a Complication. CLIN PEDIATR
27: 547-550
[Abstract]
Tenorio, G. M., Nazvi, M., Bickers, G. H., Hubbird, R. H.
(1988). Intrauterine Stroke and Maternal Polydrug Abuse: Case Report. CLIN PEDIATR
27: 565-567
LeBlanc, P. E., Parekh, A. J., Naso, B., Glass, L.
(1987). Effects of Intrauterine Exposure to Alkaloidal Cocaine ('Crack'). Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
141: 937-938
[Abstract]
Woods, J. R. Jr, Plessinger, M. A., Clark, K. E.
(1987). Effect of Cocaine on Uterine Blood Flow and Fetal Oxygenation. JAMA
257: 957-961
[Abstract]
Ward, S. L. D., Schuetz, S., Krishna, V., Bean, X., Wingert, W., Wachsman, L., Keens, T. G.
(1986). Abnormal Sleeping Ventilatory Pattern in Infants of Substance-Abusing Mothers. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
140: 1015-1020
[Abstract]
Previous
