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[Newborn infants of drug-dependent mothers]
P Boutté1, C Richelme, E Bérard
1Clinique médicale infantile, Hôpital de Cimiez, Nice.
The problems of embryo-foetopathy associated with drug-dependent mothers were determined from published data and from a series of 60 neonates born of heroin-addicted mothers. Low weight at birth resulting from prematurity and/or hypotrophy was frequent. Monitoring of labour and the presence of a specialized medical team in the delivery room improve the Apgar's score and reduces the incidence of meconium inhalation. The possible occurrence of seldom severe withdrawal syndrome makes it mandatory to place every child born of a drug-dependent mother under observation in a neonatology unit. The predominant threat, at mid- or long term, is human immunodeficiency virus infection. The fear of AIDS explains why such children are now followed up for longer periods, resulting in a more accurate evaluation of their future somatic and psychomotor status.
The problems of embryo-foetopathy associated with drug-dependent mothers were determined from published data and from a series of 60 neonates born of heroin-addicted mothers. Low weight at birth resulting from prematurity and/or hypotrophy was frequent. Monitoring of labour and the presence of a specialized medical team in the delivery room improve the Apgar's score and reduces the incidence of meconium inhalation. The possible occurrence of seldom severe withdrawal syndrome makes it mandatory to place every child born of a drug-dependent mother under observation in a neonatology unit. The predominant threat, at mid- or long term, is human immunodeficiency virus infection. The fear of AIDS explains why such children are now followed up for longer periods, resulting in a more accurate evaluation of their future somatic and psychomotor status.