Infants of opioid-dependent mothers: Neurodevelopment at six months. Issue 1 (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGlone, Laura; Mactier, Helen
• Is Part Of: Early human development. Volume 91:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 21
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Fetus -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; Prenatal influences -- Periodicals; 612.65
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2014.10.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-3782

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="ab0005"> <title id="st0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="st0010">Objective</title> <p id="sp0005">The aim of this study is to describe infant neurodevelopment in 81 infants of methadone-prescribed opioid-dependent mothers.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0015">Methods</title> <p id="sp0010">Griffith MD scores at six months.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0020">Results</title> <p id="sp0015">Scores were lower in all domains compared to controls (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001). Poly-drug exposed infants and those treated for neonatal abstinence syndrome performed significantly poorer (<italic>p</italic> = 0.002 and <italic>p</italic> = 0.008 respectively).</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0025">Conclusions</title> <p id="sp0020">Infants of methadone-maintained opioid-dependent mothers show poorer neurodevelopment at six months of age than non-drug exposed comparison infants. Developmental difficulties are confounded by delayed visual development.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0080">Practice implications</title> <p id="sp0025">These highly vulnerable children merit close surveillance throughout infancy.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0030">Summary</title> <p id="sp0030">Griffith MD scores at six months in 81 infants born to methadone-prescribed opioid-dependent mothers were lower in all domains compared to controls (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001). Poly-drug exposed infants and those treated for neonatal abstinence syndrome performed significantly poorer (<italic>p</italic> = 0.002 and <italic>p</italic> = 0.008 respectively). Co-existing visual problems were common.</p> </sec> </abstract>