EFFECTS OF PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO OPIOIDS ON FOCUSED ATTENTION IN TODDLERS DURING FREE PLAY

The goals of this study were: (1) to determine if 24-month-old childre n exposed to opioids show decreased focused attention during free play compared with children of the same age who were not prenatally expose d; (2) to identify medical and social risk factors other than drug exp osure that are related to focused attention; and (3) to determine if m others' teaching ability had an effect on attention. Focused attention was rated during a 3-minute free play session for 30 toddlers who wer e methadone-exposed and for 44 comparison toddlers. The mother teachin g the child to use a toy was also rated separately from the free play session, There was no difference in focused attention of 24 month olds during free play based only on prenatal exposure. Despite group diffe rences in medical and social risk factors, only maternal IQ was signif icantly related to focused attention. Maternal instruction was strongl y related to focused attention and mediated the effects of maternal IQ on attention.