Developmental Risk Factors in Postpartum Women with Urine Tests Positive for Cocaine

Abstract

The aim of the study was to ascertain whether there was a difference in developmental experiences between two groups of inner city postpartum patients, those who used cocaine during pregnancy and those who did not. A retrospective structured interview was administered to 80 postpartum women examining demographic characteristics, adaptive function, drug use patterns, and selected risk factors for adult substance abuse encountered before age 16. The sample was divided into two cohorts of women: 40 women identified by urine tests of their babies as using cocaine shortly before delivery and a comparison group of 40 women not identified by positive urines. Comparisons between the two cohorts revealed that the cocaine identified women had significantly higher overall past and present use of a broad range of drugs, particularly crack and other forms of cocaine, as well as lower levels of general adaptive functioning despite the fact that they were demographically comparable. When compared to the nonusers, they displayed markedly elevated scores on measures of developmental risk factors for adult substance use. This study highlights the importance of early developmental risk factors on later drug use during pregnancy and general adult adaptive functioning. Further study and intervention targeted at persons with these risk factors are warranted.