Effects of cocaine exposure on infant development: A review

Abstract

We review the effects of maternal cocaine use on the developing human fetus and infant in terms of methodological problems; the physiological action of cocaine on adults and on the developing fetus; the epidemiology of cocaine use; effects on fetal and infant mortality; growth of cocaine-exposed fetuses and infants; physical anomalies; evidence for and against infant withdrawal from cocaine; neurological effects; behavioral effects as shown by the NBAS; findings related to mother-infant interaction and emotional development; and parenting by cocaine-using mothers. Findings in most areas should be considered preliminary due to methodological problems. Published studies of long-term development are not yet available. In general, deleterious consequences of prenatal cocaine exposure are found for some portion of prenatally exposed infants. However, many findings of “no difference” are also available in methodologically well-controlled studies.