Dose-response effect of fetal cocaine exposure on newborn neurologic function

BACKGROUND: Studies of fetal cocaine exposure and newborn neurologic function have obtained conflicting results. Although some studies identify abnormalities, others find no differences between cocaine-exposed and cocaine-unexposed infants. To determine the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on intrauterine growth and neurologic function in infants, we prospectively evaluated 253 infants shortly after birth. METHODS: Women who delivered a live singleton >36 weeks by dates were eligible for enrollment. Maternal exclusionary criteria were known parenteral drug use, alcoholism, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; infant exclusionary criteria were Apgar scores