Outcomes for Infants Exposed in Utero to Illicit Drugs

The study reported here sought to determine whether substance-exposed infants who are maltreated have a higher risk of out-of-home placement than substance-exposed children who are not abused and rejected, as well as a higher risk of death than children in the general population. In a sample of 513 infants born at a Chicago medical center from 1985 through 1990, 480 (93.6%) had complete sociodemographic data available for analysis. Identifying data were used to search the Illinois death registry and a computerized central registry of child abuse reports. Both out-of-home placement and death were distinctly more likely if children had been exposed to drugs and maltreated. Such children should be closely followed.