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Developmental and behavioral consequences of prenatal cocaine exposure: a review

Journal of Perinatology volume 32, pages 819–828 (2012)Cite this article

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Abstract

Substance use among pregnant women continues to be a major public health concern, posing potential risk to their drug-exposed children as well as burdens on society. This review is intended to discuss the most recent literature regarding the association between in utero cocaine exposure and developmental and behavioral outcomes from birth through adolescence across various domains of functioning (growth, neurobiology, intelligence, academic achievement, language, executive functioning, behavioral regulation and psychopathology). In addition, methodological limitations, associated biological, sociodemographic and environmental risk factors and future directions in this area of research are discussed. Given the large number of exposed children in the child welfare system and the increased need for medical, mental health and special education services within this population, more definitively documenting associations between prenatal cocaine exposure and later child outcomes is essential in order to be able to prospectively address the many significant public health, economic and public policy implications.

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Acknowledgements

This review was supported in part by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) through cooperative agreement 5U10DA024118-03 and an interagency agreement with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA

    B L Lambert

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    C R Bauer

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  1. B L Lambert
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  2. C R Bauer
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Correspondence to B L Lambert.

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Lambert, B., Bauer, C. Developmental and behavioral consequences of prenatal cocaine exposure: a review. J Perinatol 32, 819–828 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2012.90

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