Study: IQ Scores Not Lower in Babies Exposed to Cocaine
Research from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio finds that
babies born to mothers who used cocaine heavily during pregnancy
do not have lower IQ scores than other children, as originally believed,
Reuters reported May 26.
The study found that cocaine-exposed babies have do problems with
specific skills. Yet babies placed in foster care or in adoptive
homes appeared to overcome even these problems.
"It's important to dispel the myth of the crack-exposed baby
that condemned them to hopeless status," said lead author Dr.
Lynn Singer. "Cocaine-exposed children are not as devastated
as preliminary reports proposed, and can benefit from stimulating
caregiving environments."
The study tracked 190 cocaine-exposed children from birth until
age 4. They were compared to 186 children who were not exposed to
the drug.
The researchers found that both groups of children had similar
IQ scores at age 4. However, the cocaine-exposed children performed
worse on tasks involving visual-spatial skills, such as puzzles,
and general knowledge and arithmetic tests.
Singer said the study's findings suggest that, "early environmental
intervention can prevent mental retardation for some cocaine-exposed
infants."
The study's findings are published in the May 24 issue of the Journal
of the American Medical Association.
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