Intrauterine exposure to cocaine: Effect on neurobehavior of neonates

Abstract

Neurobehavior of 50 infants, 25 exposed to cocaine and 25 unexposed, was evaluated by the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) in this prospective study. The groups were matched for sociodemographic, maternal, and neonatal characteristics. Twenty-eight neurobehavioral items and 18 elicited responses were analyzed individually as well as in 7 clusters after adjusting for confounding variables (gender, maternal age, cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use). Among the individual items, the cocaine-exposed group performed poorly in smile, irritability, p < .05, consolability, lability of state, and self-quiet activity, p < .01. The elicited responses revealed abnormal performance in sucking intensity, rooting intensity, and standing, p < .05. Among the 7 clusters, regulation of state and range of state were abnormal, p < .025. We conclude that cocaine exposure adversely affects neonatal neurobehavior. These behavioral deficits may have an impact on maternal-infant bonding and overall infant development. Long-term developmental follow-up may be necessary.