Blood pressure in children exposed prenatally to cocaine

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1998 Nov;37(11):659-64. doi: 10.1177/000992289803701103.

Abstract

Prenatal exposure to cocaine may alter autonomic nervous system function resulting in hypertension. Blood pressure was measured oscillometrically in a convenience sample of cocaine-exposed (n = 32) and nonexposed (n = 23) children, aged 8 to 26 months, by examiners unaware of exposure status. The exposed and nonexposed groups did not differ in systolic pressure (mean +/- SD 102.3 +/- 9.9 mmHg vs 119.1 +/- 19.4). Prenatal exposure to cocaine does not appear to be associated with elevated blood pressure in young children.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Autonomic Nervous System / drug effects
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cocaine / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / chemically induced
  • Fetus / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / chemically induced*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / chemically induced*
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*

Substances

  • Cocaine