Prenatal cocaine exposure, child development, and the compromising effects of cumulative risk

This article reviews the literature regarding the effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine on children's behavior and development beyond infancy When confounding variables are statistically controlled and demographically comparable control groups are included, few consistent effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on children's cognitive, motor, play language, and socioemotional development Juring early childhood are found, Two consistent findings have been demonstrated: Most study participants are exposed to high levels of medical and environmental risk (cumulative risk), and perhaps consequently, their performance on developmental tests is compromised on average, relative to published age norms. It is concluded that prenatally cocaine-exposed children are part of a much larger group of high-risk children who would benefit from broad-based intervention services.