Abstract
Recently methadone has been used extensively for the treatment of heroin addiction. In adults, methadone produces a withdrawal syndrome similar to heroin. However, until very recently neonatal addiction to methadone was not recognized.
This study analyzes experience with both heroin and methadone withdrawal in newborns at Freedmen's Hospital.
Between September 1, 1971, and August 31 1972, 30 newborn infants born to addicted mothers were studied. Fourteen infants were born to mothers who were heroin users; and 16 newborn infants born to mothers who regularly received methadone.
The incidence of withdrawal in the methadone group was almost equal to the heroin group (75% and 72% respectively).
According to the severity of the symptoms, all infants were divided into 4 groups (asymptomatic, mild, moderate and severe. The incidence of asymptomatic infants was 25% for the methadone group and 28% for the heroin group. The incidence of mild symptoms was much higher in the heroin group compared with methadone group (6% vs. 42%). On the contrary, incidences of moderate and severe symptoms were increased markedly in the methadone group (50% and 18% vs. 14% and 7%).
In the methadone group higher doses of medication as well as combined (paregoric and phenobarbital) therapy were needed to control the symptoms. These findings suggest that methadone does cross the placenta and is addictive to the fetus. Withdrawal symptoms are more severe and more difficult to control than withdrawal symptoms due to heroin addiction.
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Rahbar, F., Jenkins, M. METHADONE WITHDRAWAL IN NEONATES. Pediatr Res 8, 450 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00658
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00658
