STUDY SAID TO DISPEL CRACK BABY MYTHS

PHILADELPHIA, July 20 (UPI) - A nine-year study of crack babies conducted
by Philadelphia's Albert Einstein Medical Center says the children don't do
any worse than those born to drug-free low-income women.

Researchers say the study, which followed the development of 101
cocaine-exposed babies and the 118 drug-free babies from low-income homes,
dispels the myth that crack babies would fail in school, never bond with
adults and remain agitated. The study found that children in both groups
scored poorly in IQ tests, and say poverty may have more of an impact on a
child's development than exposure to the drug.

The study, led by neonatalogist Hallum Hurt, was scheduled to end in June,
but researchers have asked for an extension to study the children through
age 13.

Hospital spokeswoman Beth Rachkis tells United Press International that
during the crack epidemic of several years ago, Hurt followed families who
had children in Philadelphia to see what kind of effect the drug had on the
youths' emotional and intellectual development.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse funded the study.

Copyright 1998 by United Press International.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)