Neurologic and ophthalmologic findings in children exposed to cocaine in utero

J Child Neurol. 1996 Jan;11(1):25-30. doi: 10.1177/088307389601100106.

Abstract

We studied a cohort of 73 children exposed to cocaine in utero to characterize the spectrum of neurologic and ophthalmologic abnormalities; 36 children with no documented in utero drug exposure were selected as a control group. Most referrals of cocaine-exposed children to the child neurologist were made in the 1st year of life (81%). Reasons for referral were hypertonia (29%), seizures (22%), developmental delay (11%), tremulousness (11%), and hypotonia (4%). The most common abnormal finding in the cocaine-exposed children was hypertonia/hyperreflexia (63%), which was rarely seen in the control group. In addition, hypertonia/hyperreflexia was underdiagnosed by referring physicians. Similarly, hypotonia was seen on neurologic examination of cocaine-exposed children more frequently than documented by referral (16% versus 4%). Hypotonia was rarely seen in the control group. Twelve (43%) of 28 cocaine-exposed children seen by a pediatric ophthalmologist had structural ophthalmologic abnormalities. Neurologic and ophthalmologic findings suggesting structural lesions of the nervous system must be considered in cocaine-exposed children.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cocaine / adverse effects*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Developmental Disabilities / etiology
  • Eye Diseases / etiology*
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / etiology
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange*
  • Microcephaly / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*

Substances

  • Cocaine