NCJ Number
154333
Journal
Future of Children Volume: 1 Dated: (1991) Pages: 17-24
Date Published
1991
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Because exact prevalence rates of substance exposure during pregnancy are not known and studies of legal and illegal substance exposure are difficult due to the sensitive nature of the behaviors involved, the authors reviewed 27 reports published in 1980 and later and also derived their own estimates of likely substance exposure rates, based on National Institute on Drug Abuse data, for women between 12 and 34 years of age.
Abstract
Based on the two best studies that used a single urine test to measure substance exposure, the authors conclude that between 2 and 3 percent of newborn infants in the United States may be cocaine-exposed each year and that 3 to 12 percent of newborn infants may be marijuana-exposed. Studies of smaller groups of women indicate that some areas of the United States have higher exposure rates. Considering the number of women who may have used an illegal drug at any time during pregnancy, studies indicate that exposure rates may be 4.5 percent for cocaine and 17.4 percent for marijuana. In comparison, cigarette and alcohol exposure occurs among 58 and 73 percent of all pregnancies, respectively. It is pointed out the estimates do not reveal the number of children who may be harmed by drug exposure. 18 references, 1 table, and 2 figures