354 EFFECT OF INTRAUTERINE EXPOSURE TO NARCOTICS ON CORD BLOOD CONCENTRATIONS OF PROLACTIN (PRL), CORTISOL(C), AND THYROXINE (T₄) IN PRETERM INFANTS

Abstract

PRL, C and T₄ enhance fetal lung maturation, and decreased cord blood levels of these hormones have been found in infants with RDS. Use of narcotics during pregnancy may both decrease the incidence of RDS and affect the metabolism of these hormones.

Cord blood concentrations were measured in 33 infants with a G.A. of 30 to 36 weeks. Ten were exposed to either heroin, methadone, or both and two of these developed RDS. Of the 23 non-narcotic exposed infants, 8 developed RDS and 15 did not.

The following results (median and range) were obtained:

The differences in PRL concentrations between the narcotic exposed and RDS groups were of borderline statistical significance (p=0.08), while levels of C were significantly higher in the no RDS than in the RDS or narcotic exposed groups (p<0.01). None of the other inter-group differences was statistically significant.

Intrauterine exposure to narcotics may play a modifying role in the synthesis of pulmonary surfactants.

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