Studying prenatal exposure to methamphetamine

People who have more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) – such as maltreatment, parental substance abuse, poverty and/or parental mental illness – tend to have more physical and mental health problems as adults than those who report no ACEs. 

They also run a higher risk of underage sex, teen pregnancy, problematic alcohol and substance use, and suicidal behaviour. Ultimately, they are more likely to die prematurely.

The longitudinal Infant Development, Environment and Lifestyle (IDEAL) study of PME (prenatal exposure to methamphetamine) from birth to 36 months was conducted in the USA and NZ. It showed that children exposed prenatally to meth experience more ACEs between birth and age 6, including higher rates of poverty, maternal mental illness, ongoing problematic alcohol and illegal drug use, and more Child, Youth and Family involvement.

Unknown is the impact these ACEs have for meth-exposed children during adolescence or whether there are protective factors in their environments.

Using longitudinal data from the NZ IDEAL Study, Associate Professor Trecia Wouldes and her team from the University of Auckland are investigating whether meth-exposed adolescents have more health, mental health and behavioural problems than un-exposed adolescents. 

They are also looking at whether these problems are the result of prenatal exposure to meth and/or adverse home environments. Identifying both ACEs and protective factors for these adolescents will enable the design of targeted interventions to minimise the effects of prenatal exposure.

Funding from Cure Kids is supporting Associate Professor Wouldes’ ongoing research, which is expected to take a number of years.