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Infancy and Early Childhood Development of Drug Addicted Children
While in the womb fetus is in the it feeds off the food intake and nourishment through the
placenta, which also means that any substances such as drugs, alcohol or tobacco that enters the
mothers system flows through the placenta and is delivered to the fetus as well. From birth to three
years old is the most critical period in a child’s development process. Children of mothers that use
drugs while they are pregnant increase the likelihood that the child will suffer from some form of
birth defect and oftentimes born prematurely. The lasting effects of prenatal cocaine affect the
growth of the fetus physically. The results of the increase of premature birth, and generalized growth
retardation including decreased birth weight, shorter body length, and smaller head circumference
(Bigsby et al, 2011; Covington et al, 2002; Gouin et al, 2011; Mayes et al, 2003).
These toxic chemicals can sometimes have irreversible damage that affect the child’s normal
development process with regards to proper development of organs and brain function.
From the ages of 0-2 months old a child are expected to have develop motor skills that would
include the ability to recognize different colors and shapes, kicking waving, have the ability to
recognize familiar voices and their sleeping patterns would change, meaning that as they grow older
children should be sleeping a little longer than a new born baby. Children from the ages of 2
months old should be able to extend their arm and reach and pick up toys and other objects,
hand coordination by shifting objects from one hand to another. The child should be able to pick up
finger food and bring it to their mouths. Identifying a problem with a child is when they are not able
to perform these age appropriate task.
and other drugs to show poorly developed play behaviors, and a lack of interest and motivation in
unstructured situations, in comparison to a group of high risk preterm children. Using play behavior,
one study found preterm toddlers exposed to cocaine and other drugs to show poorly. However, by
3 years of age, there were no changes associated with fine motor performance or behavior observed
with the child externalizing behavioral problems at age 5 years old. Stress and psychological
symptoms of caregivers were found to be in direct correlation with increased child behavioral issues;
indicating that the effected children may have more difficulties negotiating the increasing complex
academic and social demands of school-age children (LaGasse et al, 2012; Twomey et al, 2013).
A study in Florida conducted a study of 715 pregnant women who had positive urine results of
Black women treated at public clinics among White who were treated in private offices.
The frequency of positive toxicology results were similar, however Black women resulted in a high
use of cocaine oppose to White women who used marijuana, however Black women are more likely
to be reported to Child Protective Services than White women. Effective treatment is used when a
women comes in the prenatal treatment to detect drug use. “Despite Black women having
alcohol/drug use identified by prenatal care providers at similar rates to White women and entering
treatment more than expected, Black newborns were 4 times more likely than White newborns to be
reported to CPS at delivery”.
References
Perreira, K. M., & Cortes, K. E. (2006). Race/ethnicity and nativity differences in alcohol
and tobacco use during pregnancy. American journal of public health, 96(9), 1629-36.
Kenner, Carole & D'Apolito, Karen. (1997). Outcomes for Children Exposed to Drugs In Utero. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing. 26. 595 - 603. 10.1111/j.1552-6909.1997.tb02163.x.
Roberts, S. C., & Nuru-Jeter, A. (2012). Universal screening for alcohol and drug use and racial disparities in child protective services reporting. The journal of behavioral health services & research, 39(1), 3-16.
