The Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Opioids on Language Development in Early Childhood
Faculty Mentor
Sara Haden
Major/Area of Research
Psychology
Description
INTRODUCTION: While there is a concern with an increase in substance use, prenatal substance exposure is a risk factor that contributes to poor cognitive development in early childhood and is generating public health concern, according to the National Library of Medicine. Even though birthrates are decreasing, exposure to substances are increasing and are more accessible in the U.S. According to reports by the Center for Disease Control in 2020, alcohol consumption among pregnant women increased 13.5%, cannabis use increased 8%, nicotine use increased 8%, and opioid use increased 0.4%. The focus of my study is to examine how prenatal exposure to opioids affects a child's cognitive development. My theory is that increased use of these drugs will adversely affect child development.
METHOD: Mothers with children ranging in age from 0-6 years old completed a self-assessment survey on any substance abuse using the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) drug self-assessment test and assessing their children's receptive and expressive vocabulary using MacArthur Bates Communicative Development Inventories (MB-CDI). Participants were recruited from online survey posting and there was no specific age or race when recruiting mothers.
RESULTS: Based on results from the mothers’ NCADD, as well as their children being assessed with MB-CDI, a relationship was established from test scores. A higher score of drug use from mothers showed a lower score for child assessment indicating their receptive and expressive vocabulary ability.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The current study did not demonstrate clear results between opioid use and child development. Limitations include lack of sample population being able to cooperate with research and time to gather sample size. A correlation between the use of opioids and the relationship with child development, stigmatization of opioid misuse, and specific demographics could be explored in the future with more time and resources.
The Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Opioids on Language Development in Early Childhood
INTRODUCTION: While there is a concern with an increase in substance use, prenatal substance exposure is a risk factor that contributes to poor cognitive development in early childhood and is generating public health concern, according to the National Library of Medicine. Even though birthrates are decreasing, exposure to substances are increasing and are more accessible in the U.S. According to reports by the Center for Disease Control in 2020, alcohol consumption among pregnant women increased 13.5%, cannabis use increased 8%, nicotine use increased 8%, and opioid use increased 0.4%. The focus of my study is to examine how prenatal exposure to opioids affects a child's cognitive development. My theory is that increased use of these drugs will adversely affect child development.
METHOD: Mothers with children ranging in age from 0-6 years old completed a self-assessment survey on any substance abuse using the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) drug self-assessment test and assessing their children's receptive and expressive vocabulary using MacArthur Bates Communicative Development Inventories (MB-CDI). Participants were recruited from online survey posting and there was no specific age or race when recruiting mothers.
RESULTS: Based on results from the mothers’ NCADD, as well as their children being assessed with MB-CDI, a relationship was established from test scores. A higher score of drug use from mothers showed a lower score for child assessment indicating their receptive and expressive vocabulary ability.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The current study did not demonstrate clear results between opioid use and child development. Limitations include lack of sample population being able to cooperate with research and time to gather sample size. A correlation between the use of opioids and the relationship with child development, stigmatization of opioid misuse, and specific demographics could be explored in the future with more time and resources.