BEHAVIORAL-DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN PRENATALLY EXPOSED TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Empirical research on the behavioral consequences to the offspring of use of recreational and addictive drugs and alcohol by pregnant women is reviewed. The current epidemic of cocaine use has raised the specte r of a host of ''cocaine babies'' whose prenatally induced impairments will interfere with social and academic functioning and constitute an immense social burden. In fact, examination of effects of drug exposu re on infant behavior and subsequent development suggests a much more subtle and complicated process which must take into account not only t he child's prenatal exposure but the various other environmental facto rs which contribute to eventual outcome. These other factors include c aregiving competence and social environment.