A study recently concluded by researchers at Brown University and published in Pediatrics magazine examined the impacts of methamphetamine use during pregnancy and a child’s future behavior.
Researchers from Brown examined kids at ages 3 and 5 and concluded those whose mothers used methamphetamines during pregnancy had a much higher risk of suffering from behavioral problems, including depression and anxiety.
Dr. Linda LaGasse, PhD, wrote in the journal that by age 5, kids who were exposed to meth in the womb were at much higher risk for developing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Additionally, these kids were at much higher risk of acting out, being non-compliant and exhibiting other aggressive behaviors.
The use of methamphetamines has been on an alarming trend for the last several years. Worldwide, use of the powerful drug was greater than opiates and cocaine put together.
While previous studies have been done on meth’s effects on the growth of the fetus, not much study has been done on the impacts the drug has on behavior once the child is born.
Researchers gathered data from the IDEAL study (Infant Development, Environment, and Lifestyle), which examined prenatal meth use in different parts of the United States.
Children who had exposure to meth in the womb were compared to kids with no exposure. Self-reporting along with meconium screenings were used to determine exposure. Researchers factored out potential confounders such as exposure to marijuana, alcohol and tobacco, as well as a number of environmental risks such as pollution.
All told, 166 kids who had exposure to meth were compared to 164 kids that did not.
In the journal, Lagasse wrote:
“The ability to identify specific behavioral syndromes in children as early as preschool age could lead to the development of preventive intervention programs.”
Authors of the study also stated that if interventions are provided early enough, the child would have significantly less risk of “…eventually sliding into delinquency and psychopathology later in life.”
Using drugs like methamphetamines is bad enough but as we can see here, the problems can be compounded during pregnancy.
