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Powell M, Pilkington R, Varney B, Havard A, Lynch J, Dobbins T, Oei JL, Ahmed T, Falster K. The burden of prenatal and early life maternal substance use among children at risk of maltreatment: A systematic review. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024; 43:823-847. [PMID: 38548385 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
ISSUES Although maternal substance use is a known risk factor for child maltreatment, evidence on the scale of substance use is needed to inform prevention responses. This systematic review synthesised prevalence estimates of maternal substance use during pregnancy and early life among children at risk of maltreatment. Ovid, Pubmed, CINAHL, PsychInfo and ProQuest databases were searched. We included observational studies that sampled children at risk of maltreatment in high-income countries and reported information on maternal substance use during pregnancy and/or the child's first year of life. We extracted study characteristics and data to calculate prevalence, assessed risk of bias and conducted a narrative synthesis; there were insufficient comparable populations or outcomes to quantitatively synthesise results. KEY FINDINGS Thirty five of 14,084 titles were included. Fifteen studies had adequately sized and representative samples to estimate prevalence. Maternal substance use prevalence ranged from 2.4% to 40.6%. Maternal substance use was highest among infants referred to child protection at birth (40.6%) and children in out-of-home care (10.4% to 37.2%). Prevalence was higher when studies defined substance use more broadly and when maternal substance use was ascertained from both child and mother records. IMPLICATIONS Supportive, coordinated responses to maternal substance use are needed from health and child protection services, spanning alcohol and other drug treatment, antenatal and postnatal care. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal and early life maternal substance use is common among child maltreatment populations, particularly among younger children and those with more serious maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Powell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Bianca Varney
- School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alys Havard
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - John Lynch
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Ju Lee Oei
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Royal Hospital for Women, New South Wales Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tasnia Ahmed
- School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Rebbe R, Malicki D, Siddiqi N, Huang JS, Putnam-Hornstein E, Laub N. Child Protection System Interactions for Children With Positive Urine Screens for Illicit Drugs. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e243133. [PMID: 38512254 PMCID: PMC10958236 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.3133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Young children are ingesting illicit drugs at increased rates, but it is unknown what the associated child protection system (CPS) responses are when a child tests positive. Objective To document the child protection system involvement and the characteristics of children who test positive for illicit substances. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cross-sectional study linked medical discharge and child protection system administrative data. The setting was Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, a free-standing pediatric hospital in California. Participants included all emergency department and inpatient medical encounters involving children aged 12 years or younger with a positive urine drug test between 2016 and 2021. Statistical analysis was performed from February 2023 to January 2024. Exposure Drug type, including amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, fentanyl, opiates, and phencyclidine. Main Measures and Outcomes CPS responses associated with the medical encounter including reports, substantiations, case openings, and out-of-home placements. Results A total of 511 emergency department and inpatient medical encounters involving children had a positive drug test (262 [51.3%] were female; 309 [60.5%] were age 6 years or younger; fewer than 10 [<3.0%] were American Indian or Alaska Native; 252 [49.3%] were Hispanic [any race], 20 [3.9%] were non-Hispanic Asian, 56 [11.0%] were non-Hispanic Black, 143 [28.0%] were non-Hispanic White, 36 [7.0%] had other or unknown race and ethnicity; 233 [43.6%] had a CPS report prior to the medical encounter). Following the positive screen, 244 (47.7%) were reported to child protection, and 61 (11.9%) were placed out-of-home within 30 days. Mean (SD) quarterly counts of encounters with positive drug tests doubled after the COVID-19 pandemic onset (32.9 [9.8]) compared with prior to the pandemic onset (16.5 [4.7]); for encounters positive for cannabis, mean (SD) quarterly counts were 3 times as high after the pandemic onset than prior (16.6 [4.7] vs 5.7 [2.9]). Encounters for children under age 1 were significantly more likely to have associated child protection reports (relative risk [RR], 2.91 [95% CI, 2.21-3.83]) and child protection case openings (RR, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.07-2.72]) than encounters involving older children. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study of emergency department and inpatient medical encounters, less than half of children with positive urine drug screens were reported to CPS; out-of-home placements were uncommon. With increased encounters for positive drug tests, it is unclear what services these children and families are receiving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Rebbe
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work, Chapel Hill
| | - Denise Malicki
- University of California, San Diego
- Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, California
- Chadwick Center for Children and Families, San Diego, California
| | - Nadia Siddiqi
- Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
| | - Jeannie S. Huang
- University of California, San Diego
- Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, California
| | | | - Natalie Laub
- University of California, San Diego
- Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, California
- Chadwick Center for Children and Families, San Diego, California
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Kenny KS, Wall-Wieler E, Frank K, Courchene L, Burton M, Dreaver C, Champagne M, Nickel NC, Brownell M, Rocke C, Bennett M, Urquia ML, Anderson M. Identifying newborn discharge to child protective services: Comparing discharge codes from birth hospitalization records and child protection case files. Ann Epidemiol 2024; 91:44-50. [PMID: 38184029 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Newborn removal by North America's child protective services (CPS) disproportionately impacts Indigenous and Black families, yet its implications for population health inequities are not well understood. To guide this as a domain for future research, we measured validity of birth hospitalization discharge codes categorizing newborns discharged to CPS. METHODS Using data from 309,260 births in Manitoba, Canada, we compared data on newborns discharged to CPS from hospital discharge codes with the presumed gold standard of custody status from CPS case reports in overall population and separately by First Nations status (categorization used in Canada for Indigenous peoples who are members of a First Nation). RESULTS Of 309,260 newborns, 4562 (1.48%) were in CPS custody at hospital discharge according to CPS case reports and 2678 (0.87%) were coded by hospitals as discharged to CPS. Sensitivity of discharge codes was low (47.8%), however codes were highly specific (99.8%) with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 81.4%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.2%. Sensitivity, PPV and specificity were equal for all newborns but NPV was lower for First Nations newborns. CONCLUSIONS Canadian hospital discharge records underestimate newborn discharge to CPS, with no difference in misclassication based on First Nations status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen S Kenny
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, University of Manitoba, Room 408-727 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 3P5, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Room S113 - 750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 0W3, Manitoba, Canada.
| | - Elizabeth Wall-Wieler
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, University of Manitoba, Room 408-727 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 3P5, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Room S113 - 750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 0W3, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Kayla Frank
- First Nations Family Advocate Office, 200-286 Smith Street, Winnipeg, R3C 1K4, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Lindey Courchene
- First Nations Family Advocate Office, 200-286 Smith Street, Winnipeg, R3C 1K4, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Mary Burton
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Room S113 - 750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 0W3, Manitoba, Canada; Fearless R2W, PO Box 44095 Redwood Postal Outlet, Winnipeg, R2W 5M3, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Cheryle Dreaver
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Room S113 - 750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 0W3, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Micheal Champagne
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Room S113 - 750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 0W3, Manitoba, Canada; Fearless R2W, PO Box 44095 Redwood Postal Outlet, Winnipeg, R2W 5M3, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Nathan C Nickel
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, University of Manitoba, Room 408-727 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 3P5, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Room S113 - 750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 0W3, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Marni Brownell
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, University of Manitoba, Room 408-727 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 3P5, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Room S113 - 750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 0W3, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Cathy Rocke
- Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, Education Building 456, Regina S4S 0A2, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Marlyn Bennett
- Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW MacKimmie Tower 301, Calgary T2N 1N4, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marcelo L Urquia
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, University of Manitoba, Room 408-727 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 3P5, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Room S113 - 750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 0W3, Manitoba, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Room 500, Toronto M5T 3M7, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marcia Anderson
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Room S113 - 750 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 0W3, Manitoba, Canada; Ongomiizwin Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, P122 Pathology Building, 770 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg R3W 0W3, Manitoba, Canada
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Durrance CP, Atkins DN. Estimating the incidence of substance exposed newborns with child welfare system involvement. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 149:106629. [PMID: 38232502 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal substance use can have negative health consequences for both mother and child and may also increase the likelihood of child welfare involvement. The rate of newborns with substance exposure has increased dramatically. As of 2016, federal law requires notification of all infants to child welfare agencies so that a plan of safe care can be developed and referrals to services can be offered. OBJECTIVE Child welfare agencies have not historically collected consistent, systematic data identifying substance exposed newborns. We utilized a unique strategy to identify substance exposed newborns with child welfare involvement. PARTICIPANTS & SETTING We used data from the National Child Abuse & Detection System (NCANDS) which captures N = 3,189,034 unique child protective services investigations for children under the age of 1 between 2004 and 2017. METHODS We calculated the incidence of substance exposed newborns investigated by child welfare agencies and compared with other administrative data on prenatal substance exposure. We also analyzed this rate by infant demographic characteristics (race/ethnicity, sex, rurality). RESULTS Between 2004 and 2017, approximately 13 % of infants reported to child protective services were likely reported because of substance exposure at birth, and the rate of substance exposed newborns with child welfare involvement increased from 3.79 to 12.90 per 1000 births, an increase of 240 %, over this period. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the extent of the substance use crisis for child welfare involvement is important for policymakers to support children and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Piette Durrance
- La Follette School of Public Affairs, Institute for Research on Poverty, University of Wisconsin, Madison, United States of America.
| | - Danielle N Atkins
- Askew School of Public Administration, Florida State University, United States of America.
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Chaiyachati BH, Deutsch SA. Improving health and well-being for infants with prenatal substance exposure. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 2024; 54:101572. [PMID: 38431453 PMCID: PMC11025014 DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2024.101572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) among caregiving adults has inexorable linkage to the health and well-being of millions of children in the U.S. This piece provides an overview of such linkages, examples of relevant policies and regulations, and the role of pediatric healthcare within the health trajectories of children and families at this intersection. A commonality throughout this work is need for non-stigmatizing engagement and support to facilitate connections to care and reduce barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara H Chaiyachati
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, and Leonard Davis Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of General Pediatrics, Clinical Futures & Policy Lab, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Stephanie A Deutsch
- Department of Pediatrics, Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware, Wilmington, DE, USA; Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Reddy J, Palmer L, Putnam-Hornstein E. Three-Year Custody Outcomes Among Infants Investigated by Child Protection Systems for Prenatal Substance Exposure in California. Matern Child Health J 2023; 27:94-103. [PMID: 37256517 PMCID: PMC10692263 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03690-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Infants affected by prenatal alcohol and drug use are more likely to be removed from parental custody than those in the general population, although it is unclear whether their custody outcomes differ from infants investigated by child protection systems (CPS) for other reasons. This analysis seeks to compare trajectories of involvement and custody outcomes among infants investigated by CPS with and without documentation of prenatal substance exposure (PSE). METHOD We used vital birth records linked to administrative CPS records to examine the timing of system involvement and 3-year custodial outcomes among investigated infants with and without identified PSE. We defined PSE according to documentation on the state's standardized hotline screening form, which CPS completes upon referral for alleged maltreatment. We estimated the likelihood a child was in nonparental custody at age 3 by specifying multivariable generalized linear models, adjusted for covariates available in the birth record. RESULTS In our sample of 22,855 infants investigated by CPS in 2017 in California, more than 26% had documentation of PSE. These infants experienced an accelerated timeline of system penetration and were 2.2 times as likely to be in nonparental placement at age 3. DISCUSSION PSE confers an independent risk of custody interruption among infants investigated by CPS. The younger age of these infants, complexity of parental substance use, and potential misalignment of administrative permanency timelines with parental recovery all suggest the need for increased research, policy, and programmatic interventions to serve this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Reddy
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 412 Rosenau Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Lindsey Palmer
- The Pennsylvania State University, 133 Health and Human Development Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Emily Putnam-Hornstein
- School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building, 325 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3550, USA
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Zaugg C, Terplan M, Roberts SCM. Clinician views on reporting pregnant and birthing patients who use alcohol and/or drugs to child welfare. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2023; 5:101109. [PMID: 37524258 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple health professional associations have expressed concern with policies that require clinician reporting of pregnant people's substance use to child welfare, including that reporting negatively affects patient outcomes and the patient-provider relationship. However, research has shown that clinicians continue to report pregnant and birthing patients at high rates. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore clinician views on reporting pregnant and birthing patients who use alcohol or drugs during pregnancy to child welfare and whether there are patterns in the types of decisions that clinicians agree with, disagree with, or feel conflicted about. STUDY DESIGN In-depth interviews were conducted with 37 hospital-based clinicians (13 obstetrics and gynecology physicians, 12 emergency medicine physicians, 10 family medicine physicians, and 2 advance practice registered nurses) in the United States. The participants discussed one or more patient cases where they or someone else on the care team had to decide whether to report that patient to child welfare related to their use of alcohol or drugs during pregnancy. Cases were categorized on the basis of whether the participant agreed, disagreed, or was conflicted by the reporting decision in that case. Patterns were explored by patient-level factors, provider specialty, and whether the participant perceived that the decision was influenced by a state or hospital policy. RESULTS A total of 53 patient cases (average 2 per interview) were identified. The participants typically described cases where they agreed with the decision to report or believed there was no other option than reporting. These cases typically involved patients who used nonprescribed opioids during pregnancy, were experiencing factors (eg, unstable housing and untreated mental health disorders) in addition to substance use, and/or left the hospital against medical advice without their infant. Moreover, some participants, mostly obstetricians and gynecologists, described cases where they felt conflicted about or disagreed with the decision to report. These cases typically involved pregnant patients using cannabis and patients reported because of hospital and/or state policy. Only 1 participant described a case where they disagreed with the decision to not report. CONCLUSION The participants agreed with most, but not all, child welfare reporting decisions. When participants disagreed or felt conflicted with reporting decisions, these feelings were almost entirely related to decisions to report, which, in some cases, were prompted by hospital or state policies. Policies may prompt reporting that exceeds what clinicians believe is appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Zaugg
- Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA (Ms Zaugg and Dr Roberts).
| | | | - Sarah C M Roberts
- Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA (Ms Zaugg and Dr Roberts)
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Edwards F, Roberts SC, Kenny KS, Raz M, Lichtenstein M, Terplan M. Medical Professional Reports and Child Welfare System Infant Investigations: An Analysis of National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System Data. Health Equity 2023; 7:653-662. [PMID: 37786528 PMCID: PMC10541941 DOI: 10.1089/heq.2023.0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Medical professionals are key components of child maltreatment surveillance. Updated estimates of reporting rates by medical professionals are needed. Methods We use the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (2000-2019) to estimate rates of child welfare investigations of infants stemming from medical professional reporting to child welfare agencies. We adjust for missing data and join records to population data to compute race/ethnicity-specific rates of infant exposure to child welfare investigations at the state-year level, including sub-analyses related to pregnant/parenting people's substance use. Results Between 2010 and 2019, child welfare investigated 2.8 million infants; ∼26% (n=731,705) stemmed from medical professionals' reports. Population-adjusted rates of these investigations stemming doubled between 2010 and 2019 (13.1-27.1 per 1000 infants). Rates of investigations stemming from medical professionals' reports increased faster than did rates for other mandated reporters, such as teachers and police, whose reporting remained relatively stable. In 2019, child welfare investigated ∼1 in 18 Black (5.4%), 1 in 31 Indigenous (3.2%), and 1 in 41 White infants (2.5%) following medical professionals' reports. Relative increases were similar across racial groups, but absolute increases differed, with 1.3% more of White, 1.7% of Indigenous, and 3.1% of Black infants investigated in 2019 than 2010. Investigations related to substance use comprised ∼35% of these investigations; in some states, this was almost 80%. Discussion Rates of child welfare investigations of infants stemming from medical professional reports have increased dramatically over the past decade with persistent and notable racial inequities in these investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah C.M. Roberts
- Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, Oakland, California, USA
| | | | - Mical Raz
- University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
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Dubowitz H, Barth RP. Seeking a Balanced View of Child Protective Services. JAMA Pediatr 2023:2807908. [PMID: 37523178 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.2578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
This Viewpoint discusses the strengths and shortcomings of child protective services, including mandatory reporting policies, with a goal of enhancing its role in ensuring children’s safety and strengthening families.
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Sieger ML, Nichols C, Chen S, Sienna M, Sanders M. Novel Implementation of State Reporting Policy for Substance-Exposed Infants. Hosp Pediatr 2022; 12:841-848. [PMID: 36093638 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2022-006562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act's provisions concerning hospitalist and child protective services response to infants with prenatal substance exposure (IPSE) were revised in 2016 to address the impact of the opioid epidemic. In 2019, Connecticut unveiled a statewide hospital reporting infrastructure to divert IPSE without safety concerns from CPS using a deidentified notification to CPS and a plan of safe care (POSC). Connecticut is the first state to implement a separate, deidentified notification system. METHODS We used notification and birth data to determine rates per 1000 births. We employed multinomial logistic regression to understand factors associated with 3 mutually exclusive outcomes: (1) diversion with POSC, (2) report with POSC, or (3) report without POSC. RESULTS During the first 28 months of policy implementation, hospitalists submitted over 4700 notifications (8% of total Connecticut births). Over three-quarters (79%) of notifications included marijuana exposure, and 21% included opioid exposure. Fewer than 3% included alcohol exposure. Black mothers were disproportionally overrepresented among notifications compared with the state population, and all other race groups underrepresented. Over half of identified IPSE were diverted. Type of substance exposure was the strongest predictor of outcome, controlling for maternal age and race group. CONCLUSIONS Connecticut Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act diverted IPSE without provider safety concerns away from child protective services. Substance exposure type was associated with the dyad's outcome at hospital discharge. Nonuniversal screening practices may contribute to racial disproportionality in implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cynthia Nichols
- University of Connecticut, School of Social Work, Hartford, Connecticut
| | - Shiyi Chen
- University of Connecticut, School of Social Work, Hartford, Connecticut
| | - Melissa Sienna
- UCONN Health, School of Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Marilyn Sanders
- UCONN School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Farmington, Connecticut Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut
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He Y, Leventhal JM, Gaither JR, Jones EA, Kistin CJ. Trends from 2005 to 2018 in child maltreatment outcomes with caregivers' substance use. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 131:105781. [PMID: 35820322 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caregivers' substance use is associated with child maltreatment. OBJECTIVE Examine trends from 2005 to 2018 in percentages of three outcomes with caregivers' drug or alcohol use: child protective services (CPS) referrals, substantiated maltreatment reports, and foster care placements. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING 22 U.S. states that contributed child-level maltreatment outcomes and caregivers' substance use data to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System from 2005 to 2018. METHODS Joinpoint regression was used to examine the average annual percent change (AAPC) in outcomes with caregivers' drug or alcohol use and to identify temporal changes. RESULTS From 2005 to 2018, CPS referrals with caregivers' drug use increased (AAPC 2.33, p < .001), while referrals with alcohol use remained unchanged (AAPC -0.11, p = .92) (trend difference p = .04). Substantiated reports with caregivers' drug and alcohol use increased (AAPC drug use 3.63, p < .001, AAPC alcohol use 1.28, p = .03), with a greater increase observed with drug use (difference p = .03). Foster care placements with caregivers' drug use increased (AAPC 2.54, p < .001), while placements with alcohol use did not change (AAPC -1.22, p = .29), (difference p = .005). Within the study period, changes in trends with caregivers' drug use included increased substantiated reports from 2010 to 2018 (p < .001) and increased foster care placements from 2009 to 2018 (p < .001). With caregivers' alcohol use, CPS referrals and foster care placements decreased from 2007 to 2018 (all p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Trends differed for outcomes with caregivers' drug versus alcohol use. Findings can inform policies to improve care for families affected by substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan He
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02119, United States of America.
| | - John M Leventhal
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, 20 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510, United States of America
| | - Julie R Gaither
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, 20 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510, United States of America
| | - Eric A Jones
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center (BEDAC), 85 East Newton Street, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America
| | - Caroline J Kistin
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02119, United States of America
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Putnam-Hornstein E, Prindle JJ, Rebbe R. Community disadvantage, family socioeconomic status, and racial/ethnic differences in maltreatment reporting risk during infancy. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 130:105446. [PMID: 35144838 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children are reported for maltreatment during infancy at elevated rates; research has established persistent racial/ethnic differences in the likelihood of reporting to the child protection system (CPS). OBJECTIVE To model the influence of race/ethnicity and community disadvantage in CPS reporting during infancy. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING A population-based dataset consisting of more than 1.2 million children born in California between 2012 and 2014. Vital birth records were probabilistically linked to administrative CPS records. American Community Survey data were used to measure community disadvantage. METHODS For each child, we coded sociodemographic information from the birth record, assigned the child to a community using their residential address at birth, and captured maltreatment reports from child protection records. We employed a modified Poisson regression model to examine an infant's likelihood of being reported to CPS by race/ethnicity across levels of community disadvantage and after adjusting for individual-level covariates. RESULTS Infants born in neighborhoods with the most concentrated disadvantage were reported to CPS at 7 times the rate of children born in the most advantaged neighborhoods (12.3% vs. 1.8%). After adjusting for individual-level covariates, we found that both Black and Hispanic infants born on public insurance were significantly less likely than White infants to be reported for maltreatment overall - and Black and Hispanic infants had a statistically equivalent or lower likelihood of reporting at the two extremes of neighborhood disadvantage. Among privately insured families, Hispanic infants continued to have a lower likelihood of reporting, but Black infants were reported at higher rates than White infants. This Black-White difference persisted in the most advantaged neighborhoods, but disappeared in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS Capturing individual-level differences in socioeconomic status and associated risk factors is critical to understanding sources of racial/ethnic differences in CPS reporting, including when there is unwarranted variation or disparate treatment. Our findings suggest an elevated likelihood of maltreatment reporting among privately insured Black infants not explained by differences in observed risk or neighborhood, but no such differences were documented for Black or Hispanic infants on public insurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Putnam-Hornstein
- School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America; Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, United States of America.
| | - John J Prindle
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Rebbe
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, United States of America
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Roberts SC, Zaugg C, Martinez N. Health care provider decision-making around prenatal substance use reporting. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 237:109514. [PMID: 35660333 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent research has found that harms related to alcohol and/or drug (AOD) use during pregnancy are not limited to those associated with use itself; harms also result from policies and health care practices adopted in response, including reporting to Child Protective Services (CPS). This study sought to understand factors that influence health care providers' reporting practices. METHODS We conducted 37 semi-structured interviews with hospital-based obstetricians/gynecologists, family medicine physicians, and emergency department physicians, focused on experiences with reporting pregnant/birthing people with AOD to government authorities. We deductively applied an implementation science framework, the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to identify the relevant domains and then inductively coded within domains to identify sub-themes. RESULTS Most participants saw reporting as someone else's job, primarily social workers. While a few participants associated reporting with increased connection to services, many participants expressed awareness of negative consequences associated with reporting. Nonetheless, participants were much more concerned about potential harms to the baby associated with not reporting and expressed considerable anxiety about these harms occurring if a report was not made. While a few participants described making reporting decisions themselves, most described interpersonal, hospital-level, and state policy-level factors that constrained their decision-making. CONCLUSIONS Many of the factors that influence physician decision-making in reporting pregnant/birthing people who use AOD to CPS are outside the control of individual physicians and require social, structural, and policy changes. Those that are individual-focused involve intense emotions and thus are unlikely to be influenced by solely didactic cognitive-focused trainings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cm Roberts
- Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 1330 Broadway, Suite 1100, Oakland, CA 94612, USA.
| | - Claudia Zaugg
- Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 1330 Broadway, Suite 1100, Oakland, CA 94612, USA.
| | - Noelle Martinez
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, 995 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.
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14
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Austin AE, Gest C, Atkeson A, Berkoff MC, Puls HT, Shanahan ME. Prenatal Substance Exposure and Child Maltreatment: A Systematic Review. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2022; 27:290-315. [PMID: 33550839 DOI: 10.1177/1077559521990116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
State and federal policies regarding substance use in pregnancy, specifically whether a notification to child protective services is required, continue to evolve. To inform practice, policy, and future research, we sought to synthesize and critically evaluate the existing literature regarding the association of prenatal substance exposure with child maltreatment. We conducted a comprehensive electronic search of PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, CHINAL, Social Work Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, and Social Services Abstracts. We identified 30 studies that examined the association of exposure to any/multiple substances, cocaine, alcohol, opioids, marijuana, and amphetamine/methamphetamine with child maltreatment. Overall, results indicated that substance exposed infants have an increased likelihood of child protective services involvement, maternal self-reported risk of maltreatment behaviors, hospitalizations and clinic visits for suspected maltreatment, and adolescent retrospective self-report of maltreatment compared to unexposed infants. While study results suggest an association of prenatal substance exposure with child maltreatment, there are several methodological considerations that have implications for results and interpretation, including definitions of prenatal substance exposure and maltreatment, study populations used, and potential unmeasured confounding. As each may bias study results, careful interpretation and further research are warranted to appropriately inform programs and policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Austin
- 359831Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Injury Prevention Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Caitlin Gest
- 359831Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alexandra Atkeson
- 359831Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Molly C Berkoff
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Henry T Puls
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Kansas City and School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, NC, USA
| | - Meghan E Shanahan
- 359831Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Injury Prevention Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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15
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Rebbe R, Mienko JA, Martinson ML. Reports and Removals of Child Maltreatment-Related Hospitalizations: A Population-Based Study. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2022; 27:235-245. [PMID: 33375836 PMCID: PMC11326083 DOI: 10.1177/1077559520984549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite U.S. child protective services (CPS) agencies relying on mandated reporters to refer concerns of child maltreatment to them, there is little data regarding which children mandated reporters decide to report and not to report. This study addresses this gap by utilizing a population-based linked administrative dataset to identify which children who are hospitalized for maltreatment-related reasons are reported to CPS and which are removed by CPS. The dataset was comprised of all children born in Washington State between 1999 and 2013 (N = 1,271,416), all hospitalizations for children under the age of three, and all CPS records. We identified maltreatment-related hospitalizations using standardized diagnostic codes. We examined the records for children with maltreatment-related hospitalizations to identify hospitalization-related CPS reports and if the child was removed from their parents. We tested for differences in these system responses using multinomial regression. About two-thirds of children identified as experiencing a child maltreatment-related hospitalization were not reported to CPS. We found differences in responses by maltreatment subtype and the type of diagnostic code. Children whose hospitalizations were related to abuse and associated with a specific maltreatment code had increased odds of being both reported to CPS and subsequently removed by CPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Rebbe
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joseph A Mienko
- Center for Social Sector Analytics & Technology, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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16
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Peddireddy SR, Austin AE, Gottfredson NC. Factors contributing to level and type of child welfare involvement following prenatal substance exposure: A scoping review. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 125:105484. [PMID: 35032823 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An understanding of factors contributing to variation in child welfare outcomes in cases of prenatal substance exposure (PSE) can help identify gaps in research and practice and guide state and agency policy. OBJECTIVE To summarize the evidence base and identify critical gaps in the literature, we conducted a scoping review regarding individual- and institutional-level factors associated with child welfare decision-marking across the service continuum and caregivers' perceptions of child welfare involvement in cases of PSE. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING The sample included peer-reviewed studies based in the United States. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive search of four databases for studies investigating 1) sociodemographic, behavioral, policy, or other factors contributing to variation in child welfare outcomes and 2) maternal, family, or provider perceptions of the child welfare process in cases of PSE. We followed an established methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews. RESULTS Of the 23 articles included in the review, 20 explored variation in decision-making across the child welfare services continuum and three examined caregivers' perceptions of child welfare involvement. At the institutional level, provider characteristics, such as agency capacity, were linked to specific child welfare outcomes including reports and removals. At the individual level, factors such as socioeconomic status, race, and substance type were also associated with outcomes across the service continuum. CONCLUSIONS Child welfare agencies use an unsystematic approach in addressing PSE, contributing to a variation in child welfare outcomes and potentially allowing for bias. This review highlights a need for increased resources and guidance for caseworkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha R Peddireddy
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, 135 Dauer Dr., Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Anna E Austin
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, 135 Dauer Dr., Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Nisha C Gottfredson
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, 135 Dauer Dr., Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Impact of Plans of Safe Care on Prenatally Substance Exposed Infants. J Pediatr 2022; 241:54-61.e7. [PMID: 34699908 PMCID: PMC8792271 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of recent federal statute changes mandating child welfare-based Plan of Safe Care (POSC) supportive programming and community-based linkages to treatment providers, resources, and services for families of infants affected by prenatal substance exposure (IPSE). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective review of Delaware's statewide child welfare case registry data for IPSE birth notifications and subsequent hotline reports for serious physical injury/fatality concerns from November 1, 2018-October 31, 2020. Abstracted variables included IPSE sex, substance exposure type, family characteristics (maternal personal child welfare history or mental health diagnosis, treatment engagement), and POSC referrals. RESULTS Of 1436 IPSE, 1347 (93.8%) had POSC support. Most IPSE (67.2%) had exposure to single substance types prenatally. Nearly 90% avoided out-of-home placement. Nearly one-fourth of mothers delivered a prior IPSE; 40% of mothers had personal histories of childhood protective services involvement. Also, 43.5% of mothers and 9.1% of fathers were referred to community-based resources, including substance use, mental health treatment, parenting classes, and home visiting nursing. Nearly 58% of IPSE were referred for pediatric/developmental assessment. Notably, 0.82% (11 out of 1347) of IPSE with POSC sustained serious physical or fatal injury. CONCLUSIONS POSC promote supportive, potentially protective linkages to community-based programming for IPSE and their families.
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18
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Roberts SCM, Thompson TA, Taylor KJ. Dismantling the legacy of failed policy approaches to pregnant people's use of alcohol and drugs. Int Rev Psychiatry 2021; 33:502-513. [PMID: 34238098 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2021.1905616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Most U.S. states have one or more pregnancy-specific alcohol or drug policies. However, research evidence indicates that some of these policies lead to increases in adverse birth outcomes, including low-birthweight and preterm birth. We offer explanations for why these ineffective policies related to pregnant people's use of alcohol and drugs in the U.S. exist, including: abortion politics; racism and the 'War on Drugs'; the design and application of scientific evidence; and lack of a pro-active vision. We propose alternative processes and concepts to guide strategies for developing new policy approaches that will support the health and well-being of pregnant people who use alcohol and drugs and their children. Processes include: involving people most affected by pregnancy-specific alcohol and drug policies in developing alternative policy and practice approaches as well as future research initiatives. Additionally, we propose that research funding support the development of policies and practices that bolster health and well-being rather than primarily documenting the harms of different substances. Concepts include accepting that policies adopted in response to pregnant people's use of alcohol and drugs cause harms and working to do better, as well as connecting to efforts that re-envision the child welfare system in the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C M Roberts
- Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, Oakland, CA, USA
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Su D, Samson K, Hanson C, Anderson Berry AL, Li Y, Shi L, Zhang D. Racial and ethnic disparities in birth Outcomes: A decomposition analysis of contributing factors. Prev Med Rep 2021; 23:101456. [PMID: 34285869 PMCID: PMC8273196 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This study seeks to quantify and rank the contribution of selected factors to the observed racial/ethnic disparities in low-birth-weight births (LBWBs) and preterm births (PTBs). Based on vital statistics data on births to primiparous women and characteristics of mothers in the State of Nebraska during the period of 2005 to 2014 (n = 93,375), unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were estimated to examine the association between selected variables and the odds of having LBWBs or PTBs. Fairlie decomposition analysis was performed to quantify the contribution of each selected factor to racial/ethnic differences in LBWB and PTB rates. The prevalence of PTBs was 9.1% among non-Hispanic White (NHW) women, as compared to 12.8% among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women and 10.6% among Hispanic women. The corresponding prevalence of LBWBs in the three groups were 5.9%, 11.9%, and 7.2%, respectively. The higher educational attainment among NHW women, relative to NHB women accounted for 10% of the observed difference in LBWB rate between the two groups. Health insurance coverage was the second most important factor accounting for the observed disparities in birth outcomes. Addressing socioeconomic disadvantages in NHB and Hispanic women would be important for them to narrow their gaps with NHW women in LBWB and PTB prevalence. More research is needed to identify key factors leading to the disparities in birth outcomes between NHW and NHB women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejun Su
- Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE, United States
| | - Kaeli Samson
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE, United States
| | - Corrine Hanson
- College of Allied Health Professions, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE, United States
| | - Ann L Anderson Berry
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE, United States
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lu Shi
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson SC, United States
| | - Donglan Zhang
- Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens GA, United States
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20
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Schneiderman JU, Prindle J, Putnam-Hornstein E. Infant Deaths From Medical Causes After a Maltreatment Report. Pediatrics 2021; 148:peds.2020-048389. [PMID: 34426532 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-048389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine whether postneonatal infants reported for maltreatment face a heightened risk of deaths attributable to medical causes. METHODS Birth and death records for all children born in California between 2010 and 2016 (N = 3 455 985) were linked to administrative child protection system records. Infants were prospectively followed from birth through death or age 1 year. Reports of maltreatment and foster care placement episodes were modeled as time-varying covariates; sociodemographic characteristics at birth were modeled as baseline covariates. Stratified, multivariable competing risk models were used to estimate the adjusted relative hazard of postneonatal infant death attributed to a medical cause (n = 1051). RESULTS After adjusting for baseline risk factors, and compared with infants never reported for maltreatment, the medical-related mortality risk was almost twice as great among infants reported once for maltreatment (hazard ratio: 1.77; 95% confidence interval: 1.36-2.30) and 3 times greater if there was >1 maltreatment report (hazard ratio: 3.27; 95% confidence interval: 2.48, 4.30). Among infants reported for maltreatment, periods of foster care placement reduced the risk of death by roughly half. CONCLUSION Infants reported for alleged maltreatment had a higher risk of death from medical causes, with foster care emerging as protective. Targeted support services for parents and improved communication between the child protection system and the pediatric health care community is needed, especially when infants who may be medically fragile remain at home after an allegation of abuse or neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet U Schneiderman
- Department of Nursing, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - John Prindle
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Emily Putnam-Hornstein
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.,School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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21
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Patel E, Bandara S, Saloner B, Stuart EA, Goodman D, Terplan M, McCourt A, White S, McGinty EE. Heterogeneity in prenatal substance use screening despite universal screening recommendations: findings from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2016-2018. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2021; 3:100419. [PMID: 34116233 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends universal screening for tobacco, alcohol, and drug use as a part of routine prenatal care. However, little is known about the prevalence of prenatal substance use screening or factors that may contribute to differential rates of screening during prenatal care. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe the prevalence of prenatal substance use screening by substance, year, state, and state-level prenatal substance use policies and to examine individual-level factors associated with receipt of screening. STUDY DESIGN We analyzed 2016 to 2018 data from 103,608 women participating in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a population-based survey among women with recent live births. The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System survey sampling weights were applied to all analyses. We described the percentage of individuals asked by a healthcare worker about substance use during a prenatal care appointment by substance, year, and state. Using chi-squared tests, we examined differences in the prevalence of screening by state-level prenatal substance use policies, including policies regarding classification of prenatal substance use as child abuse or neglect, mandatory testing or reporting of prenatal substance use, and targeted treatment funding and access for pregnant individuals with substance use disorders. Finally, we estimated the association between individual-level characteristics and receipt of prenatal substance use screening using logistic regression, controlling for year and state fixed effects and accounting for missingness using multiple imputation. RESULTS In 2018, approximately 95% individuals reported being asked about cigarette or alcohol use during a prenatal care appointment, whereas only 80% reported being asked about drug use. The percentage of individuals who were asked about substance use during a prenatal care appointment increased overall between 2016 and 2018, with variability across states. For all substances, states with laws designating prenatal drug use as child abuse or neglect had lower prevalence of screening, whereas states with laws mandating providers to test for substance use in pregnancy had higher prevalence of screening. Several individual-level characteristics were associated with increased odds of reported prenatal substance use screening for one or more substances, including being younger, less educated, unmarried, Black (vs White), non-Hispanic, or publicly insured (vs privately insured), receiving adequate prenatal care, and having a history of prepregnancy cigarette use. CONCLUSION Our study finds that despite recommendations for universal prenatal substance use screening, there are differences in who is actually asked about substance use during prenatal care appointments. This may be influenced by state-level prenatal substance use policies and selective screening approaches in which certain individuals are more likely to be asked about substance use during their prenatal care appointment. A better understanding of the repercussions of selective screening approaches on outcomes and the roles that policies, systems, and provider biases play in perpetuating these approaches is needed to advance guideline implementation efforts in prenatal care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esita Patel
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Drs Patel, Bandara, Saloner, Stuart, and McCourt, White, and McGinty); Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH (Dr Goodman); Friends Research Institute, Baltimore, MD (Dr Terplan)Patel, McCourt, White - Department of Health Policy and Management.Bandara - Department of Mental Health.Saloner, Stuart, McGinty - Department of Health Policy and Managment; Department of Mental Health.Goodman - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Community and Family Medicine; The Dartmouth Institute.
| | - Sachini Bandara
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Drs Patel, Bandara, Saloner, Stuart, and McCourt, White, and McGinty); Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH (Dr Goodman); Friends Research Institute, Baltimore, MD (Dr Terplan)Patel, McCourt, White - Department of Health Policy and Management.Bandara - Department of Mental Health.Saloner, Stuart, McGinty - Department of Health Policy and Managment; Department of Mental Health.Goodman - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Community and Family Medicine; The Dartmouth Institute
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Drs Patel, Bandara, Saloner, Stuart, and McCourt, White, and McGinty); Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH (Dr Goodman); Friends Research Institute, Baltimore, MD (Dr Terplan)Patel, McCourt, White - Department of Health Policy and Management.Bandara - Department of Mental Health.Saloner, Stuart, McGinty - Department of Health Policy and Managment; Department of Mental Health.Goodman - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Community and Family Medicine; The Dartmouth Institute
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Drs Patel, Bandara, Saloner, Stuart, and McCourt, White, and McGinty); Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH (Dr Goodman); Friends Research Institute, Baltimore, MD (Dr Terplan)Patel, McCourt, White - Department of Health Policy and Management.Bandara - Department of Mental Health.Saloner, Stuart, McGinty - Department of Health Policy and Managment; Department of Mental Health.Goodman - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Community and Family Medicine; The Dartmouth Institute
| | - Daisy Goodman
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Drs Patel, Bandara, Saloner, Stuart, and McCourt, White, and McGinty); Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH (Dr Goodman); Friends Research Institute, Baltimore, MD (Dr Terplan)Patel, McCourt, White - Department of Health Policy and Management.Bandara - Department of Mental Health.Saloner, Stuart, McGinty - Department of Health Policy and Managment; Department of Mental Health.Goodman - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Community and Family Medicine; The Dartmouth Institute
| | - Mishka Terplan
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Drs Patel, Bandara, Saloner, Stuart, and McCourt, White, and McGinty); Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH (Dr Goodman); Friends Research Institute, Baltimore, MD (Dr Terplan)Patel, McCourt, White - Department of Health Policy and Management.Bandara - Department of Mental Health.Saloner, Stuart, McGinty - Department of Health Policy and Managment; Department of Mental Health.Goodman - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Community and Family Medicine; The Dartmouth Institute
| | - Alexander McCourt
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Drs Patel, Bandara, Saloner, Stuart, and McCourt, White, and McGinty); Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH (Dr Goodman); Friends Research Institute, Baltimore, MD (Dr Terplan)Patel, McCourt, White - Department of Health Policy and Management.Bandara - Department of Mental Health.Saloner, Stuart, McGinty - Department of Health Policy and Managment; Department of Mental Health.Goodman - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Community and Family Medicine; The Dartmouth Institute
| | - Sarah White
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Drs Patel, Bandara, Saloner, Stuart, and McCourt, White, and McGinty); Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH (Dr Goodman); Friends Research Institute, Baltimore, MD (Dr Terplan)Patel, McCourt, White - Department of Health Policy and Management.Bandara - Department of Mental Health.Saloner, Stuart, McGinty - Department of Health Policy and Managment; Department of Mental Health.Goodman - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Community and Family Medicine; The Dartmouth Institute
| | - Emma E McGinty
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Drs Patel, Bandara, Saloner, Stuart, and McCourt, White, and McGinty); Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH (Dr Goodman); Friends Research Institute, Baltimore, MD (Dr Terplan)Patel, McCourt, White - Department of Health Policy and Management.Bandara - Department of Mental Health.Saloner, Stuart, McGinty - Department of Health Policy and Managment; Department of Mental Health.Goodman - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Community and Family Medicine; The Dartmouth Institute
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22
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Lynch V, Clemans-Cope L, Howell E, Hill I. Diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorder among pregnant women in three state Medicaid programs from 2013 to 2016. J Subst Abuse Treat 2020; 124:108265. [PMID: 33771273 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) during pregnancy increases risks of adverse outcomes for mothers and children. Because Medicaid covers about half of all births and maternal SUD is a costly problem, describing the timing of enrollment and health care that Medicaid-enrolled pregnant women with SUDs receive is critical to understanding gaps in the timeliness and specificity of SUD diagnosis and treatment for pregnant women with SUDs. We used linked maternal and infant Medicaid claims and enrollment data and infant birth records from three states (n=72,086 mother-infant dyads) to estimate the share of sample women diagnosed with a specified SUD (e.g., opioid use disorder) before or during the birth month, with a specified SUD after the birth month, and with only an unspecified SUD diagnosed (e.g., drug use disorder complicating pregnancy). We also examined the timing of first observed Medicaid enrollment, SUD diagnosis and treatment, and maternal and infant costs. In the 24 months surrounding birth, 3.6% of women had a specified SUD diagnosis first observed before or during the birth month, 1.7% had a specified SUD diagnosis first observed after the birth month, and 6.0% had an SUD diagnosis that was not specified. Most women with a specified SUD diagnosis were enrolled in Medicaid before or early in pregnancy and initiated prenatal care in the first or second trimester, yet nearly one-third of these women received their specified SUD diagnosis after the birth month. Less than two-thirds of women with a specified SUD diagnosis received any SUD treatment during the study period (59.9% among those identified before or during the birth month and 63.1% among those observed after the birth month), and women with an unspecified SUD were about half as likely to get treatment (28.6%). Among treated women, more than two-thirds had the first observed treatment in the same month as their first observed SUD diagnosis. Findings point to a critical need for interventions as well as substantial opportunities to improve the identification of substance use-related needs and provision of treatment among women who birth in Medicaid. Changes in Medicaid and other public policy to reduce disincentives for pregnant and parenting women to report substance use during medical visits and to increase providers' abilities and motivation to equitably screen for as well as treat women with SUDs before, during, and after pregnancy could improve outcomes for mothers and their children. Improvements in SUD diagnosis would also improve prevalence estimates of specific types of SUD, which could contribute to better Medicaid policies aimed at prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Lynch
- The Urban Institute, 500 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA.
| | - Lisa Clemans-Cope
- The Urban Institute, 500 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
| | - Embry Howell
- The Urban Institute, 500 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
| | - Ian Hill
- The Urban Institute, 500 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
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Rebbe R, Bishop AS, Ahn J, Mienko JA. Opioid overdose events and child maltreatment indicators: Differential county-level associations. CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW 2020; 119:105671. [PMID: 33384462 PMCID: PMC7771646 DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Rebbe
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 1150 South Olive Street, Suite 1400, Los Angeles CA USA 90015
| | - Asia S. Bishop
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, 4101 15 Ave NE Seattle WA USA, 98105
| | - Jooree Ahn
- Center for Social Sector Analytics & Technology, School of Social Work, University of Washington, 4101 15 Ave NE Seattle WA USA, 98105
| | - Joseph A. Mienko
- Center for Social Sector Analytics & Technology, School of Social Work, University of Washington, 4101 15 Ave NE Seattle WA USA, 98105
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24
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Richards T, Bertrand J, Newburg-Rinn S, McCann H, Morehouse E, Ingoldsby E. Children prenatally exposed to alcohol and other drugs: what the literature tells us about child welfare information sources, policies, and practices to identify and care for children. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC CHILD WELFARE 2020; 1:10.1080/15548732.2020.1814478. [PMID: 33897309 PMCID: PMC8064734 DOI: 10.1080/15548732.2020.1814478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Many parents who interact with the child welfare system present with substance use issues, which means their children are at risk for prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs. Because child welfare agencies play an important role in identifying and providing services to mitigate negative impacts of prenatal exposures, we conducted a search for literature addressing child welfare information sources, policies, and practices related to this population. The search yielded 16 research/evaluation and 16 policy/practice papers, with most addressing exposures to both alcohol and other drugs. The literature most commonly reports that children identified as exposed are referred to child protection agencies during the newborn period. This practice may lead to underidentification, especially of children with prenatal exposure to alcohol. Research suggests that this population is at risk for poorer child welfare outcomes and that there are specific service needs for these children. This review indicates that there is an overall lack of research literature regarding identification of prenatally exposed children involved in the child welfare system that could best inform child welfare policies and practices. Studies investigating how the child welfare system identifies and cares for children with prenatal exposures are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacquelyn Bertrand
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sharon Newburg-Rinn
- Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Heather McCann
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
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25
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Deutsch SA, Donahue J, Parker T, Hossain J, De Jong A. Factors Associated with Child-Welfare Involvement among Prenatally Substance-Exposed Infants. J Pediatr 2020; 222:35-44.e1. [PMID: 32418814 PMCID: PMC8064022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess factors impacting child-welfare involvement and child abuse and neglect outcomes among prenatally substance-exposed infants. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective review of case registry data regarding substance-exposed infants tracked statewide in Delaware from 2014 to 2018. Differences in maternal, infant, and substance exposure factors by level of child-welfare involvement (screened-in vs screened-out case status) and child abuse and neglect outcomes were examined. Screened-in status was defined as case acceptance for investigation, family assessment, or treatment referral. Using logistic regression, associations between factors and screened-in status and between factors and child abuse and neglect outcomes were assessed. Cases involving child abuse and neglect were analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS Among 1222 substance-exposed infants, 70% were screened-in by child welfare for ongoing involvement; 28 (2.3%) of substance-exposed infants were identified as child abuse and neglect victims sustaining serious physical or fatal injury before 1 year of age. Most substance-exposed infants remained with caregivers; few entered foster care. Polysubstance exposure and maternal mental health condition were factors associated with screened-in status. Neither substance exposure type nor maternal mental health condition reliably predicted future child abuse and neglect. CONCLUSIONS Substance-exposed infants had a significant risk for child abuse and neglect. Although maternal and substance exposure factors were associated with screened-in case status, they unreliably predicted future risk of child abuse and neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Anne Deutsch
- Department of Pediatrics, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE; Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
| | | | - Trenee Parker
- Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families, Wilmington, DE
| | - Jobayer Hossain
- Biostatistics Core, Nemours Biomedical Research, Nemours Children’s Health System, Wilmington, DE
| | - Allan De Jong
- Department of Pediatrics, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE and Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
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26
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Harp KLH, Bunting AM. The Racialized Nature of Child Welfare Policies and the Social Control of Black Bodies. SOCIAL POLITICS 2020; 27:258-281. [PMID: 32714000 PMCID: PMC7372952 DOI: 10.1093/sp/jxz039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Black women are disproportionately involved in the child welfare system. This state-level intervention occurs at two levels-a higher likelihood of being (i) screened for drug use during pregnancy and (ii) reported to child welfare authorities after delivery. Consequently, they face further enmeshment in state-systems, including custody loss and lower reunification odds. Using evidence from the past forty years of research and media reports, we argue that systemic forces and policies largely contribute to racial disproportionality in the child welfare system, and assert this state intervention serves as a mechanism to control black reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathi L H Harp
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Amanda M Bunting
- Department of Sociology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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27
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Stephens T, Kuerbis A, Pisciotta C, Morgenstern J. Underexamined points of vulnerability for black mothers in the child welfare system: The role of number of births, age of first use of substances and criminal justice involvement. CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW 2020; 108:104557. [PMID: 32153311 PMCID: PMC7062308 DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Black mothers and their children continue to interface with the child welfare (CW) system at unacceptably high rates. With research into traditionally understood contributing factors such as poverty, substance use, mental health and intimate partner violence abounding, this study sought to identify underexamined factors that potentially sustain very high rates of CW involvement for Black mothers. A sample of 415 Black mothers who accessed financial assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program was analyzed for the factors associated with active CW involvement. Analytic procedures included, first, independent t-test and chi-square tests to determine significant group differences. Second, logistic regression was used to test a range of psychosocial risk factors for active CW involvement. Results from our final model indicated three factors beyond those typically associated with CW involvement, number of births, age at first use of cocaine and legal involvement. The standout impact of having a history of CW involvement is also discussed. Implications for policy and practice are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tricia Stephens
- Hunter College – Silberman School of Social Work, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alexis Kuerbis
- Hunter College – Silberman School of Social Work, New York, NY, United States
| | - Caterina Pisciotta
- City University of New York – The Graduate Center, New York, NY, United States
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28
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Abstract
: Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) is an increasing problem in the midst of the current opioid epidemic, frequently associated with pharmacologic treatment and prolonged hospitalizations. NOWS is a highly variable condition with many clinical and genetic variables contributing to the clinical course. Social variables such as maternal poverty remain understudied. In this commentary, we review one of the first studies of the association between maternal poverty and infant hospital length of stay in infants with NOWS. This has important implications for designing population level interventions to improve NOWS outcomes.
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Hospital Variation in Child Protection Reports of Substance Exposed Infants. J Pediatr 2019; 208:141-147.e2. [PMID: 30770194 PMCID: PMC6486842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.12.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine whether hospital-level factors contribute to discrepancies in reporting to Child Protective Services (CPS) of infants diagnosed with prenatal substance exposure. STUDY DESIGN We used a linked dataset of birth, hospital, and CPS records using diagnostic codes (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision) to identify infants diagnosed with prenatal substance exposure. Using multilevel models, we examined hospital-level and individual birth-level factors in relation to a report to CPS among those infants prenatally exposed to substances. RESULTS Of the 760 863 infants born in Washington State between 2006 and 2013, 12 308 (1.6%) were diagnosed with prenatal substance exposure. Infants born at hospitals that served larger populations of patients with Medicaid (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.07-1.45) and hospitals with higher occupancy rates (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.15-1.77) were more likely to be reported to CPS. Infants exposed to amphetamines (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 2.31-2.90) and cocaine (OR, 2.33; 95% CI-1.92, 2.83) were more likely to be reported and infants exposed to cannabis (OR, 0.62; 95% CI-0.55, 0.70) were less likely to be reported to CPS than infants exposed to opioids. Infants with Native American mothers were more likely to be reported to CPS than infants with white mothers (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.27-1.70). CONCLUSIONS Hospital-level and individual birth-level factors impact the likelihood of infants prenatally exposed to substances being reported to CPS, providing additional knowledge about which infants are reported to CPS. Targeted education and improved policies are necessary to ensure more standardized approaches to CPS reporting of prenatal substance exposure.
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30
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Fong K. Neighborhood inequality in the prevalence of reported and substantiated child maltreatment. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2019; 90:13-21. [PMID: 30716651 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior research documents spatial concentration in the incidence of child maltreatment reported to and confirmed by Child Protective Services (CPS), but without estimates of the prevalence of such reports, the extent of CPS contact in different communities is unknown. OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of CPS reports during early childhood and substantiated investigations during childhood for children living in different types of neighborhoods. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Children who experienced CPS reports and substantiated investigations in Connecticut. METHODS This study uses synthetic cohort life tables to estimate the cumulative risk of CPS reports before age five and substantiated CPS investigations before age 18, by neighborhood poverty rate and neighborhood racial composition. RESULTS The analysis reveals substantial stratification in the prevalence of CPS contact by the demographic characteristics of children's residential neighborhoods. For example, while 7% of children in low-poverty neighborhoods (under 10% poor) experience a substantiated CPS investigation at some point during childhood at 2014 and 2015 rates, this risk more than doubles to 17% for their peers in moderate-poverty neighborhoods (10-20% poor) and more than triples to 26% for their peers in high-poverty neighborhoods (over 20% poor). Similar trends emerge when examining CPS reports in early childhood as well as when comparing neighborhoods with different proportions of White residents. CONCLUSIONS CPS reports and substantiated investigations are a widespread and disproportionately experienced life event for children in poor neighborhoods and children in non-White neighborhoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelley Fong
- Department of Sociology, Harvard University, 33 Kirkland St., Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
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31
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Rebbe R, Mienko JA, Brown E, Rowhani-Rahbar A. Child protection reports and removals of infants diagnosed with prenatal substance exposure. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2019; 88:28-36. [PMID: 30445334 PMCID: PMC6333477 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A frequent response for prenatal substance exposure (PSE) is intervention by child protective services (CPS). Previous research has examined differences in reports to CPS regarding PSE by substance exposure and by maternal race. However, little is known regarding the frequency of immediate removals by CPS relating to PSE and maternal race. METHODS We investigated hospital reports to CPS and CPS removals of PSE infants by using linked birth, hospital discharge, and CPS records for all children born in Washington State between 2006 and 2013 (N = 760,863). We identified PSE using diagnostic codes, calculated prevalence by substance type and maternal race, and tested for differences by interactions of race and substance using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS Prevalence of PSE births varied by race with 8.1% of Native American, 2.8% of black, 1.9% of white, and 0.8% of Hispanic births diagnosed with PSE. Opioids was the most common type of PSE diagnosis at 48.2%. The majority of PSE infants (86.7%) were not removed by CPS but variations by substance type were observed. Of the interactions in the multinomial logistic regression model, only black infants exposed to alcohol were more likely to result in reports to CPS without removal than the referent group of white infants exposed to opioids. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that most infants diagnosed with PSE were not removed by CPS and minority PSE infants were not reported to CPS or removed by CPS more than white infants. Racial differences identified in the prevalence of PSE present opportunities for targeted prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Rebbe
- Partners for Our Children, University of Washington School of Social Work, Seattle, WA, United States.
| | - Joseph A Mienko
- Partners for Our Children, University of Washington School of Social Work, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Emily Brown
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States; University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ali Rowhani-Rahbar
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle, WA, United States; University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Seattle, WA, United States; Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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32
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Hoerr JJ, Heard AM, Baker MM, Fogel J, Glassgow AE, Kling WC, Clark MD, Ronayne JP. Substance-exposed newborn infants and public health law: Differences in addressing the legal mandate to report. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2018; 81:206-213. [PMID: 29753200 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to illicit substances is a finding that typically requires reporting to a child protective services agency. We examine whether there is differential reporting to two public agencies, and whether it varies by race/ethnicity and region. We also study predictors of indicating a maltreatment report as credible. Data on positive neonatal toxicology reports were obtained from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Variation in reporting rates by race/ethnicity and region were compared with Pearson chi-square analysis. Multivariate logistic regression examined factors related to the likelihood of DCFS indicating a report as credible for maltreatment. IDPH recorded 1838 reports of substance-exposed newborn infants while DCFS only recorded 459 reports. There was a greater percentage of whites than blacks reported to DCFS as compared to those reported to IDPH (p < 0.001). There was a greater percentage of whites than blacks found to be indicated by DCFS as compared to those reported to IDPH (p < 0.001). Infants reported in rural areas were indicated less often (OR:0.34, 95% CI:0.17-0.67, p = 0.002) than those from urban areas. In conclusion, there was variation in reporting patterns between the two agencies. To optimize health outcomes for substance-exposed newborn infants (SEIs), the law should be clarified to provide clear standards for reporting and managing SEIs. Clinicians should ensure they are acting within the confines of existing law, and should engage in an interprofessional process with a broad array of stakeholders to develop statewide drug testing and reporting protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan J Hoerr
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Anthony M Heard
- Department of Health Social Work, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Joshua Fogel
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Business Management, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Anne Elizabeth Glassgow
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - William C Kling
- Health Policy Administration, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Maureen D Clark
- Library of the Health Sciences, University Library, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - James P Ronayne
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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