Amphetamine abuse during pregnancy : Follow-up of children after 14 years

• Sixtyfive children born to women who all used amphetamine during pregnancy have been followed prospectively since birth 1976-77. The children have been tested and examined regularly, demonstrating that social environmental factors influence the child's growth and somatic status while exposure for amphetamine during fetal life seem to influence the child's test results and behaviour up to the age of 8 years.After 14 years information was collected about school achievement, health, somatic growth and psycosocial environment. Only 20 children (30%) were still in the custody of their biological mothers. Ten children (15%) were one class below that for their biological age. Corresponding figure in Sweden is < 5 %. Grades in language, mathematics and sports were significantly lower than the mean of their schoolmates. The difference was most pronounced in boys. Weight and length were decreased in girls and increased in boys in comparison with Swedish school children born in the same year. Socioenvironmental risk factors correlated with poor outcome.Amphetamine abuse during pregnancy will influence the development of exposed children up to the age of 14 years.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

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