A retrospective study on the impact of prenatal amphetamine exposure on child development under five years of age
Keywords:
Amphetamine, DSPM, Development, Amphetamine; DSPM; Development; Pregnancy; Prenatal Amphetamine, Prenatal AmphetamineAbstract
Background: Amphetamine use within families can impact various aspects of child development, especially when exposure occurs in utero. However, data on its long-term effects remain limited, necessitating further research.
Objectives: To examine the impact of maternal amphetamine use during pregnancy on early childhood development, focusing on its association with developmental delays in gross motor, fine motor, receptive language, expressive language, and personal-social skills.
Method: This retrospective study utilized medical records from Uttaradit Hospital, focusing on children registered in Uttaradit Province between October 1, 2017, and September 30, 2022. Data were collected using the Developmental Surveillance and Promotion Manual (DSPM) from the Uttaradit Health Data Center (HDC). Statistical comparisons were made using risk regression under Poisson distribution, presenting effect sizes with risk ratios across five developmental domains.
Results: A total of 8,453 infants received care at Uttaradit Hospital, with 6,860 having DSPM records in the HDC. The children were divided into two groups based on their mothers' amphetamine use history: 6,798 children whose mothers had no history of use, and 62 children whose mothers had a history of use (48 tested positive for amphetamines in urine, and 14 tested negative). Infants born to mothers with a history of amphetamine use exhibited significantly lower birth weights and developmental delays in the DSPM at 9 months. Additionally, children whose urine did not test positive for amphetamines at birth demonstrated significant developmental delays (3.31-7.33 times) across all domains compared to the group with mothers without a history of use. On the other hand, infants with positive urine tests at birth showed significant delays in fine motor skills, expressive language, and personal-social skills.
Conclusion: The study highlights that children born to mothers with a history of amphetamine use demonstrate significant developmental delays at 9 months of age, even when initial urine tests for amphetamines are negative.
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