Cognitive and socioemotional functioning at 4 ½ years in children born to mothers who have received treatment for substance abuse problems while pregnant
Haabrekke, K, Siqveland, T, Nygaaard E, et al. Infant Ment. Health J., 2018: 39: 581-594. doi:10.1002/imhj.21733
This study of children born to mothers who had abused substances while pregnant compared their long-term development with those of mothers who had mental health problems and those without any issues. No differences in cognitive functioning were identified between children from these groups. However, socioemotional functioning was worse in children born to mothers with substance abuse during pregnancy or mental health problems than those born to mothers without any issues. Long-term outcomes appeared to be related to social factors following birth as well as those during pregnancy. Despite their increased risk at birth, attention to optimising the environments of children born to mothers who have abused substances during pregnancy during the early years may optimise their socioemotional development.