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The effect of maternal narcotic addiction on the newborn infant

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

A. Hamid Ghodse ,
J. L. Reed  and
J. W. Mack
A. Hamid Ghodse*
Affiliation:
From the Bethlem Royal and the Maudsley Hospital, the Department of Psychiatry, St Bartholomew' Hospital and the Hackney Hospital
J. L. Reed
Affiliation:
From the Bethlem Royal and the Maudsley Hospital, the Department of Psychiatry, St Bartholomew' Hospital and the Hackney Hospital
J. W. Mack
Affiliation:
From the Bethlem Royal and the Maudsley Hospital, the Department of Psychiatry, St Bartholomew' Hospital and the Hackney Hospital
*
1Address for corresponence: Dr A. Hamid Ghodse Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
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Synopsis

This paper presents a review of the literature on the effects of maternal narcotic addictions upon the foetus and newborn infant. Six children born to ‘registered’ narcotic addicts were studied, and particular attention was paid to any signs of narcotic withdrawal that might occur after birth. Although all the mothers took heroin or methadone regularly up to the time of delivery, minor physical signs which might have been considered part of the withdrawal syndrome occurred in only one baby. The absence of major withdrawal signs found in this study contrasts with previous findings. The reasons for these differences are discussed, and the implications of these observations for the management of the pregnant narcotic addict and her newborn infant are considered.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , November 1977 , pp. 667 - 675
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

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