Polydrug- and Methadone-Addicted Newborns: A Continuum of Impairment?

Abstract

Two groups of infants born to drug-addicted mothers were evaluated in a prospective controlled study and compared with a third control group. Group I infants (N = 39) were born to mothers on well-controlled low-dose methadone maintenance. Group II infants (N = 19) were born to polydrug-abusing mothers, and group III infants (N = 27) were born to control mothers who had no history or evidence of drug abuse. All three groups were matched for maternal factors that might affect neonatal outcome. Group I infants were significantly smaller than control infants for all growth measurements and had a significantly smaller head circumference than group II infants. Utilizing the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, group I infants showed more depression of interactive behaviors and state controls than group II infants, who in turn were more depressed than group III infants. The effects of nonnarcotic drugs on intrauterine growth and neonatal behavior appear to place the polydrug-addicted newborn in an intermediate zone of deficit between normal and opiate-addicted newborns.