Abstract
Administration of pethidine and other narcotics before delivery to mothers of VLBW infants was found to be significantly associated with a poor fetal outcome. Of 119 infants 500-1499g birthweight delivered in a two year period 78 survived, 18 died in the first 28 days (NND) and 23 died in utero in labour (IUD). 12 NND and 16 IUD received narcotic within 6 hours of delivery or fetal death compared with 28 survivors, P<0.05. A similar relationship was seen between narcotic administration and suboptimal condition at birth measured by Apgar scores, despite giving naloxone. This persisted when those born by Caesarean section were excluded because of anaesthetic depression. (Infants <750g were excluded as they were not mechanically ventilated).
These results suggest that when delivery of a VLBW infant is anticipated use of narcotics as analgesics or sedatives to arrest preterm labour should be avoided.
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Lloyd, D., Houlsby, W. & Allen, A. 1359 ADVERSE EFFECTS OF NARCOTICS ON VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 669 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01388
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01388