Lay summary
Children born to opiate-dependent women on synthetic opiate methadone treatment during pregnancy are at a high risk of attentional problems, cognitive/language delays, and educational under-achievement. This study will examine at age 9 years, the neurodevelopmental outcomes that relate to these challenges using longitudinal data of 91 babies born to mothers maintained on methadone during their pregnancy alongside a randomly identified community sample of 97 non-exposed methadone babies. Earlier study findings suggest prenatal exposure to methadone increases risks of poorer neuro-behavioural outcomes and neurological disturbances during infancy; more cognitive delay, poor psychomotor function and communication skills at 2 years; poorer school readiness, higher rates of attentional, behavioural and emotional problems; and language delay at 4.5 years than comparison children. This study will examine the concurrent longitudinal effects of exposure to methadone during pregnancy and environmental effects, while also defining the children's neurodevelopmental outcomes in these crucial educational middle school years.