Neonatal abstinence syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To study the substance misuse in pregnant mothers and its impact on their newborns. METHODS: Case note review of the study population was undertaken. Infants of mothers who had taken substance of misuse were monitored regularly using Finnegan's score and treatment initiated based on a pre-existing protocol. The parameters that were studied included maternal drug habits, antenatal problems, and neonatal epidemiology with particular reference to growth, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), its severity and management. RESULTS: Out of 32 neonates, 28 had developed neonatal withdrawal requiring treatment. The earliest presentation of NAS was at six hours and the average time of presentation of NAS was 26 hours. The dose of methadone taken by the mother related well with the likelihood of development of NAS. The most common symptoms noted at the time of diagnosis were irritable cry, increased tone, tachypnea, sleeplessness and tremor. CONCLUSION: Majority of neonates born to mothers on methadone exhibit neonatal abstinence syndrome and require pharmacological treatment. Neonates who had not exhibited symptoms of drug withdrawal within the first 3 days of life are unlikely to present with NAS requiring treatment.

Fluoxetine withdrawal syndrome in the newborn.

A term baby was admitted to our neonatal unit with jitteriness, hypertonia, sneezing and fever. Her mother was on 20 mg of fluoxetine throughout her pregnancy. These symptoms which were possibly due to fluoxetine withdrawal lasted only for a short while. We attempt to look at the reported prevalence of this condition in the literature.

Methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy and its health impact on neonates born at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.

To ascertain the impact of intrauterine methamphetamine exposure on the overall health of newborn infants at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, birth records of somatic growth parameters and neonatal withdrawal symptoms of 47 infants born to methamphetamine-abusing women during January 2001 to December 2001 were compared to 49 newborns whose mothers did not use methamphetamines during pregnancy. The data on somatic growth was analyzed using linear regression and multiple linear regression. The association between methamphetamine use and withdrawal symptoms was analyzed using the chi-square. Home visitation and maternal interview records were reviewed in order to assess for child-rearing attitude, and psychosocial parameters. Infants of methamphetamine-abusing mothers were found to have a significantly smaller gestational age-adjusted head circumference (regression coefficient = -1.458, p < 0.001) and birth weight (regression coefficient = -217.9, p < or = 0.001) measurements. Methamphetamine exposure was also associated with symptoms of agitation (5/47), vomiting (11/47) and tachypnea (12/47) when compared to the non-exposed group (p < 0r =0.001). Maternal interviews were conducted in 23 cases and showed that: 96% of the cases had inadequate prenatal care (<5 visits), 48% had at least one parent involved in prostitution, 39% of the mothers were unwilling to take their children home, and government or non-government support were provided in only 30% of the cases. In-utero methamphetamine exposure has been shown to adversely effect somatic growth of newborns and cause a variety of withdrawal-like symptoms. These infants are also psychosocially disadvantaged and are at greater risk for abuse and neglect.

Maternal substance abuse.

The epidemic of substance abuse, which has swept through much of the world, has left behind a trail of devastated lives and families. Alcohol and substance abuse by women during pregnancy has also been reported to be widespread and can affect the unborn fetus with the potential for life-long disabilities. While the magnitude of the perinatal substance abuse has been the focus of much discussion in the West, the problem is greatly underestimated in other parts of the world. In this article, the author has focused on five highly-abused substances and explored the effects of the drugs on the fetus and the newborn. There is a constant need for evaluating the epidemiology and the consequences of perinatal substance abuse so that health programs can target measures to eliminate the preventable morbidity that results from this practice.

The offspring of epileptic mother.

The offspring of an epileptic mother is an issue-currently getting attention because of its several implications. A complex interaction between epilepsy during pregnancy and its adverse impact on foetus, labor, neonate, congenital malformation, psychosocial and medico-social concern and treatment challenges of such cases is increasingly being realised. Some of the significant observations has been reviewed extensively in this article. Maternal epilepsy is likely to adversely affect the off-spring at its various stages of development amounting to increased morbidity and mortality. Increased seizure frequency during pregnancy with resultant increased risk is well documented but its mechanism is poorly understood. Low apgar score, increased still birth rates (1.3 to 14%) in offspring of epileptic mother (OEM) is reported. So also, the neonatal and perinatal deaths are twice more common in OEMS than normal control. Small for dates, and prematurity in OEM is reported to be 7 to 10% and 4-11% respectively. Adverse impact on labor and delivery like preclampsia, abruptio placentae, polyhydramnios, assisted delivery, cesarean section and IUGR poses particular challenges to the obstetrician. Pediatrician's alertness is needed to anticipate and deal with the bleeding manifestation due to deficiency of Vit-K dependent clotting factors and various anticonvulsant drug (AED) withdrawal symptoms. Significant risk of developing congenital malformation is the result of epilepsy perse and the AED used during pregnancy. AED exposure leads to other distinct clinical syndromes, the orofacial clefts and cardiac anomalies being the commonest manifestation. Epilepsy in mother but not in father has significant adverse impact. Management strategies in the context of available observation has been discussed.