Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

90.5K

Visual outcome in infants born to drug-misusing mothers prescribed methadone in pregnancy

Laura McGlone1, Ruth Hamilton, Daphne L McCulloch

  • 1Neonatal Unit, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, , Glasgow, UK.

The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|November 20, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal methadone exposure can lead to persistent visual impairments. Infants exposed to methadone in utero showed abnormal visual electrophysiology and clinical assessments at six months.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal ophthalmology
  • Developmental neuroscience
  • Clinical toxicology

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to maintenance methadone is associated with abnormal flash visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in neonates.
  • This study investigates the long-term clinical and electrophysiological visual outcomes at 6 months in this cohort.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess clinical visual function and electrophysiological outcomes at 6 months in infants exposed to methadone in utero.
  • To determine the persistence and nature of visual abnormalities in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study including clinical visual assessment (modified Atkinson test battery) and pattern-onset VEP recordings.
  • Visual assessment failure defined by strabismus, nystagmus, reduced visual acuity, delayed visual maturation, or significant refractive error.
  • VEPs recorded to 120', 60', and 15' checks.

Main Results:

  • At 6 months, 40% of drug-exposed infants failed clinical visual assessment (RR 5.1), with nystagmus being common.
  • 70% of drug-exposed infants had abnormal VEP parameters (slower peak times, smaller amplitudes).
  • Abnormal visual outcomes were not linked to additional drug exposure or neonatal abstinence history.

Conclusions:

  • Abnormal visual electrophysiology in infants exposed to maternal methadone persists to 6 months.
  • These persistent electrophysiological abnormalities correlate with abnormal clinical visual assessments.
Abstract

Keywords:
Child Health (Paediatrics)DrugsElectrophysiology

More Related Videos

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes05:13

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Published on: February 28, 2025

822
Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development15:27

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development

Published on: July 13, 2014

14.3K

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
4.2K
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
3.1K
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
1.8K
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena01:15

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...
1.6K