Placement of children born to drug using mothers:A preliminary study in israel

The aim of the study was to track the placement of babies born to drug addicted mothers in Tel Aviv, Israel. Records of 120 children born to drug addicted mothers between 1990 and 1998 were examined to ascertain their placements. Data were collected on withdrawal symptoms in the newborn and on the mothers' socio-economic features. Fifty percent of the infants were placed in temporary settings, and sixty percent of the children initially entrusted to their mother remained in her care. Mothers whose infants were drug free were most likely to keep their infants at birth and to provide the greatest permanency. Those who were better educated and financially better off were also more likely to keep their newborn children, although they did not provide greater permanency.