[Heroin-withdrawal-syndrome in the newborn (author's transl)]

A case of a heroin-withdrawal-syndrome is reported. Diagnostic, therapeutic and social aspects of this syndrome are discussed. Newborn infants delivered from mothers addicted to heroin often develop a deprivation syndrome. 40% of these children are small for date babies. Symptoms of deprivation begin after delivery or between the 1st and 4th week of life. Generally the onset of symptoms lies between the 1st and 3rd day of life with irritability, tremor, restlessness, and shrill cry. The degree of illness depends upon mother's last heroin intake. Treatment for drug addicts are tinctura opii (3--5--10 drops orally following 4 hours) and Chlorpromazine (2,2 mg/kg/25 hours orally or i. m.). The mortality rate increases when treatment is missing.