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Maternal methadone therapy increases QTc interval in newborn infants
R Parikh1, T Hussain, G Holder
1Department of Neonatology, Birmingham Women's Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. dr_raviparikh@yahoo.co.in
Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|November 18, 2010
Summary
Maternal methadone use can temporarily prolong the corrected QT (QTc) interval in newborns during the first two days of life. This finding highlights the risk of cardiac rhythm disturbances in infants exposed to methadone.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Prolonged QT interval is linked to sudden cardiac death.
- Methadone therapy is known to prolong the QT interval in adults.
- The impact of maternal methadone on neonatal QT interval was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the corrected QT (QTc) interval in infants born to mothers undergoing methadone therapy.
- To compare QTc intervals in this group with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 26 infants born to mothers on methadone.
- Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded on days 1, 2, 4, and 7 postpartum.
- QTc intervals were calculated using the Bazett formula and compared to controls or published norms.
Main Results:
- A significant prolongation of the QTc interval was observed in the methadone-exposed infants on days 1 and 2.
- This prolongation was transient, with QTc intervals normalizing by days 4 and 7.
- No significant cardiac rhythm disturbances were detected in either the methadone-exposed or control infants.
Conclusions:
- Maternal methadone therapy can lead to transiently prolonged QTc intervals in newborns within the first 48 hours of life.
- Infants exposed to methadone face an increased risk of cardiac rhythm issues.
- Clinical vigilance for bradycardia, tachycardia, or irregular heart rate is recommended in these infants, necessitating ECG evaluation.
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