IN-UTERO DRUG EXPOSURE AND MATERNAL INFANT INTERACTION - THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE DYAD AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT

This article, which examines mother-infant interaction, addresses the complexities that affect this dyad when there is exposure to drugs. Ma ternal characteristics are affected by high-stress environments and li fe events. Also, withdrawal or abstinence symptoms in the infant, and/ or poor state regulation, further complicate the interaction. A large number of risk factors are frequently encountered with this dyad and t heir impact is not fully understood. Studies with other groups at high risk reveal that factors associated with biological risk affect the s ocial and intellectual development of the infant. Among the existing a reas of specific investigation, one finds maternal dual diagnosis, psy chosocial problems, poor nutrition, and the physical and social enviro nment of the dyad. Methodological and conceptual problems for research and intervention in this domain are discussed.