Longitudinal outcomes of MDMA (ecstasy)-exposed infants in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Aims: The present study assessed longitudinal outcomes in mental and motor development through 2 years in infants whose mothers used MDMA (Ecstasy) during pregnancy. Methods: Pregnant women in the United Kingdom (28 MDMA uses; 68 non-MDMA users) were interviewed about recreational drug use and their infants followed from birth to 4, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. Assessments included the Bayley Mental and Motor Scales of Development (MDI, PDI) and mothers completed the HOME, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST). Women were polydrug users, of middle socioeconomic status, average IQ, and in stable relationships. All but one MDMA user discontinued use after the first trimester and users were divided into heavier and lighter groups based on a median split. Infant birth parameters were not different except more MDMA infants were male. Effects of MDMA outcomes over timewere assessed through amixedmodel analysis, controlling for covariates of other drug use, HOME environment, and gender. Results: There was a significant main effect of first trimester MDMA exposure on motor outcomes from 4 months to 2 years (F=11.3, p< .002) with more heavily MDMA-exposed children showing delays compared to lighter-exposed and non-exposed children (PDI =90.8 (SE=3.76) for MDMA vs.98.7 (SE=1.39) for lighter and non-exposed at 2 years). Mental outcomes were not affected. Conclusions: Prenatal MDMA exposure predicts poorer motor outcomes from 4 months to 2 years of age. Given the widespread recreational use of MDMA (Ecstasy), pregnant women should be cautioned about possible developmental effects in offspring. Financial support: Supported by grant DA14910-05 NIH – National Institute on Drug Abuse.