Children of methadone-maintained mothers: follow-up to 18 months of age

J Pediatr. 1982 Aug;101(2):192-6. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(82)80115-7.

Abstract

Limited information is available on the long-term effects of in utero methadone exposure. This report describes the somatic and neurobehavioral findings of children in the first 18 months of life born to methadone-maintained mothers and to a matched drug-free comparison group of mothers. Findings during the neonatal period were (1) a 75% incidence of moderate-to-severe narcotic abstinence syndrome, (2) a significant incidence of head circumferences below the third percentile, and (3) elevated systolic blood pressure. In follow-up, the methadone children had (1) a significantly higher incidence of otitis media; (2) a significant incidence of head circumferences below the third percentile; (3) neurologic findings of tone discrepancies, developmental delays, and poor fine motor coordination; (4) a high incidence of abnormal eye findings; and (5) significantly lower scores on the Bayley mental and motor developmental indices. These neurobehavioral findings in children of methadone-treated mothers at 18 months of age may be predictors of later learning and behavioral problems.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced*
  • Developmental Disabilities / chemically induced
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Methadone / adverse effects*
  • Muscle Hypertonia / chemically induced
  • Muscle Hypotonia / chemically induced
  • Otitis Media / chemically induced
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Sex Factors
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / etiology

Substances

  • Methadone