OUTCOMES FOR INFANTS EXPOSED IN-UTERO TO ILLICIT DRUGS

The study reported here sought to determine whether substance-exposed infants who are maltreated have a higher risk of out-of-home placement than substance-exposed children who are not abused and rejected, as w ell as a higher risk of death than children in the general population. In a sample of 513 infants born at a Chicago medical center from 1985 through 1990, 480 (93.6%) had complete sociodemographic data availabl e for analysis. Identifying data were used to search the Illinois deat h registry and a computerized central registry of child abuse reports. Both out-of-home placement and death were distinctly more likely if c hildren had been exposed to drugs and maltreated. Such children should be closely followed.