Long-Term Developmental Outcomes of Prenatal Cocaine Exposure

Abstract

The developmental outcomes of prenatal cocaine/polydrug exposure were evaluated using a multivariate research design that controlled for the possible confounding variables of age, sex, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and caregiver status (i.e., biological parent, relative, foster care, and adoptive parent) using an exposed (n = 41) and nonexposed (n = 35) cohort of preschool children (mean age = 4.25). Results indicated that in utero drug exposure had no effect on cognitive, social, language, and behavioral developmental outcomes as measured by the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: 4th ed., the Social Skills Rating System, the Preschool Language Scale: 3rd ed., the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-Survey Form.