Methamphetamine (meth) exposure during fetal development has the potential to adversely affect the development of multiple organ systems. An interdisciplinary case study of a 4-year 11-month-old child born to a mother addicted to meth revealed significant cognitive and communicative delays. Possible meth-related consequences for these delays included stroke in utero with associated hemiparesis and epilepsy, congenital eye dysfunction, recurrent middle ear infections, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), social adjustment problems, and parental neglect. An important additional finding was the child's nondietary iron deficiency anemia, which could contribute to or compound meth-related behavioral problems. The influence of chronic iron deficiency anemia on cognitive-communicative function speaks to the importance of including dietitians in the interdisciplinary team assessment of children exposed to meth.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Methamphetamine exposure, case study, cognitive function
Research Division:	Health Sciences
Research Group:	Public health
Research Field:	Health promotion
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Evaluation of health and support services
Objective Field:	Health education and promotion
UTAS Author:	Goldberg, LR (Associate Professor Lyn Goldberg)
ID Code:	95567
Year Published:	2010
Deposited By:	Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre
Deposited On:	2014-10-03
Last Modified:	2014-11-12
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