AMPHETAMINE ADDICTION AND PREGNANCY

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Abstract
Infants (66) born to amphetamine-addicted mothers were followed during the 1st yr of life. The children were divided into 3 groups, according to whether or not the mother stopped her abuse in early pregnancy (group 1) or continued (group 2) and whether or not the latter children were placed in foster homes immediately after birth (group 3). All but 2 of 16 mothers in group 1 stayed off drugs and mostly met non-addicted friends. In group 2, on the contrary, all but 2 of 36 mothers continued their abuse 1 yr after delivery. At the age of 1 yr, all but 1 child in group 1 were in their mothers'' custody, and all children in group 3 had remained in foster care. In group 2, 1/3 of the children lived in foster homes after revocation of the maternal custody. Several infants in group 2 had experienced multiple transfers between the biological home and different foster homes. There were indicators that maternal amphetamine abuse causes temporary drowsiness in the infants during the 1st months after birth. All children at the age of 12 mo., regardless of group, had a somatic and psychomotor development in accordance with the normal Swedish standard. In all groups there was an increased rate of medical care, mainly because of infections. Some infants in group 2, compared to none in groups 1 and 3, were hospitalized because of failure to thrive, or suspected physical abuse. Symptoms indicating emotional disturbance were more common in infants of group 2 than in infants of groups 1 and 3.

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