Abstract
The effects of heroin addiction on pregnancy and the newborn have been profound. With the decrease in quantity and quality of heroin, women have begun to use other psychoactive agents such as pentazocine. Two groups of pregnant women enrolled in a comprehensive prenatal addiction program were studied: Group A (N=14) whose major drug of abuse was pentazocine; Group B (N=26) were maintained on methadone. Maternal and infant morbidity were compared. In Group A one mother and infant died. Differences were observed in the following parameters:
No differences were seen in maternal age, gravity, abortions, obstetrical complications, or newborn Apgar scores. Neonatal abstinence symptoms occurred in all infants, and 85% of each group were treated. These data suggest that greater maternal and infant morbidity occur when pentazocine, as compared to methadone, is used during pregnancy.
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Finnegan, L., Wapner, R. 325 PENTAZOCINE: EFFECTS ON PREGNANCY AND THE NEONATE. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 494 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00336
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00336