The effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on problem behavior in children 4–10years

Children prenatally exposed to cocaine may be at increased risk for behavioral problems due to disruptions of monaminergically regulated arousal systems and/or environmental conditions. To assess behavioral outcomes of cocaine (CE) and non-cocaine-exposed (NCE) children, 4 through 10years old, controlling for other prenatal drug exposures and environmental factors. Low socioeconomic status (SES), primarily African American children (n=381 (193 (CE), 188 (NCE)) were recruited from birth. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analyses were used to assess the predictive relationship of prenatal cocaine exposure to odds of caregiver reported clinically elevated behavioral problems at 4, 6, 9 and 10years of age, controlling for confounders. Prenatal cocaine exposure was associated with increased rates of caregiver reported delinquency (OR=1.93, CI: 1.09–3.42, p