DATA-BASE OF STUDIES ON PRENATAL COCAINE EXPOSURE AND CHILD OUTCOME

A computerized data base of characteristics and findings of the litera ture on prenatal exposure and child outcome was developed. The data ba se can be used to summarize and describe the literature resulting in a more objective understanding of the findings as well as to determine methodological problems that can shape the direction of future studies . Based on a literature search 99 studies were identified, 76 of which met methodological criteria and were included in the final data base. The data base shows that our knowledge base is limited scattered, and compromised by methodological problems that mitigate any conclusions about whether or not or how prenatal cocaine exposure affects child ou tcome. Only a few studies have followed children beyond age 3. In addi tion, the cocaine problem is more complicated than first envisioned It is a multifactorial problem including the use of other drugs and pare nting and environmental lifestyle issues.