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Association of prenatal opiate exposure with youth outcomes assessed from infancy through adolescence
Bauer, C. R., Langer, J., Lambert-Brown, B., Shankaran, S., Bada, H. S., Lester, B., Lagasse, L. L., Whitaker, T., & Hammond, J. (2020). Association of prenatal opiate exposure with youth outcomes assessed from infancy through adolescence. Journal of Perinatology, 40(7), 1056-1065. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-0692-3
OBJECTIVE: This study examined acute findings and long-term outcome trajectories between birth and adolescence in children with prenatal opiate exposure.
STUDY DESIGN: Ninety children (45 opiate-exposed, 45 non-exposed) completed assessments between 1 month and 15 years of age. Outcome variables (medical, anthropomorphic, developmental, and behavioral) were analyzed at individual time points and using longitudinal statistical modeling.
RESULTS: Opiate-exposed infants displayed transient neurologic findings, but no substantial signs or symptoms long term. There were no group differences in growth, cognitive functioning, or behavior at individual time periods; however, the trajectories of outcomes using longitudinal analyses adjusting for variables known to impact outcome demonstrated increased deficits among opiate-exposed children over time with regards to weight, head circumference, cognitive functioning, and behavior.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings support concerns that maternal opiate use during pregnancy may negatively impact a child's developmental trajectory, which in turn may impose concerns to society (e.g., increased need for social, medical, and/or educational services).