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Abstract: We examine the association between education and smoking by women in the population, including smoking during pregnancy, and identify risk factors for smoking and the consequences of smoking in pregnancy for children''s smoking and behavioral problems. Secondary analyses of four national data sets were implemented: The National Survey of Drug Use and Health (2006), the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1979–2004); the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Wave III); National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2006). The lower the level of education, the greater the risk of being a current smoker, smoking daily, smoking heavily, being nicotine dependent, starting to smoke at an early age, having higher levels of circulating cotinine per cigarettes smoked, and continuing to smoke in pregnancy. The educational gradient is especially strong in pregnancy. Educational level and smoking in pregnancy independently increase the risk of offspring smoking and antisocial and anxious/depressed behavior problems. These effects persist with control for other covariates, except maternal age at child''s birth, which accounts for the impact of education on offspring smoking and anxious/depressed behavior problems. Women with low education should be the target of public health efforts toward reducing tobacco use. These efforts need to focus as much on social conditions that affect women''s lives as on individual level interventions. These interventions would have beneficial effects not only for the women themselves but also for their offspring. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on special education at age 7 with adjustment for covariates. Methods As part of the prospective, longitudinal, multi-site study of children with prenatal cocaine exposure (Maternal Lifestyle Study), school records were reviewed for 943 children at 7 years to determine involvement in special education outcomes: (1) individualized education plan; (2) special education conditions; (3) support services; (4) special education classes; and (5) speech and language services. Logistic regression was used to examine the effect of prenatal cocaine exposure on these outcomes with environmental, maternal and infant medical variables as covariates, as well as with and without low child IQ. Results Complete data for each analysis model were available for 737–916 children. When controlling for covariates including low child IQ, prenatal cocaine exposure had a significant effect on individualized education plan. When low child IQ was not included in the model, prenatal cocaine exposure had a significant effect on support services. Male gender, low birthweight, white race and low child IQ also predicted individualized education plan. Low birthweight and low child IQ were significant in all models. White race was also significant in speech and language services. Other covariate effects were model specific. When included in the models, low child IQ accounted for more of the variance and changed the significance of other covariates. Conclusions Prenatal cocaine exposure increased the likelihood of receiving an individualized education plan and support services, with adjustment for covariates. Low birthweight and low child IQ increased the likelihood of all outcomes. The finding that white children were more likely to get an individualized education plan and speech and language services could indicate a greater advantage in getting educational resources for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on fetal brain formation. Details on brain malformation in a female infant; Compatibility of findings to diagnosis of fetal brain disruption sequence; Admission of cocaine abuse by the mother; Production of neurobehavioral alterations and neural tube defects in newborns.

Examines the effects of frequency of prenatal maternal cocaine use on infant neurobehavioral outcome beyond the immediate postpartum period, controlling for other substance use. Administration of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale; Frequency of maternal drug use; Maternal and infant characteristics.

Cites results of studies on the effects of fetal exposure to cocaine. Environment as a factor in extent of cognitive and behavioral impairment; Comparison of intelligence levels of cocaine-exposed children to those not exposed to cocaine.

Discusses the need for caregivers to understand behavioral cues in infants with prenatal drug exposure (PDE) to be able to give the needed support. Characteristics of PDEs; Behaviors exhibited by PDEs; Needed caregiver response to PDEs.

Describes a study performed by Asher Ornoy at Hebrew University Medical School and Jerusalem Institute of Child Development on the development of children exposed to heroin in-utero. The finding that such children, if moved to foster or adoptive homes, develop like non-exposed children; Measuring the developmental- and intelligence quotients of these children; The view that in-utero exposure to heroin should not discourage adoptive parents.