Long-term Outcome after Prenatal Drug Exposure

Abstract

Although prenatal exposure to opioids, cannabinoids and cocaine is a frequent problem, only scarce data have been published on the long-term outcome in affected children and adolescents. While opioid-exposed children up to the age of 2 years show a reduced motor developmental pattern, data from meta-analyses up to adolescence show a strong trend for reduced performance with regard to cognitive function and behavior. Follow-up data after intrauterine cannabinoid exposure indicate reduced cognitive and reading abilities as well as abnormal findings in complex planning tests. Externalizing pathologies have been observed more frequently in boys. Prenatal cocaine exposure results in reduced cognitive and verbal development up to adolescence; however, differences are small but significant in meta-analyses. Interpretation of follow-up data with partially contradictory results may reflect methodological differences and a number of modifying co-factors, e.g., social conditions during the childhood period. These data should encourage further primary and secondary preventive attempts.