Effects of naloxone on the breathing pattern of a newborn exposed to maternal opiates.

AIM

To give new insights into how an infant responded to naloxone, given after acquiring a maternal opiate by recording the breathing pattern directly after birth.

METHOD

A respiratory recording is presented of an infant during resuscitation in the delivery room after receiving naloxone for respiratory depression, resulting from maternal remifentanyl use.

RESULTS

The infant was born apneic and bradycardic. Normal resuscitation manoeuvres had no effect on the respiratory drive. Directly after administration of naloxone, a tachypneic breathing pattern with sporadic expiratory breaking manoeuvres was observed.

CONCLUSION

The immediate tachypnoea is most likely a direct effect of the naloxone causing an immediate 'rebound response' after the release of the opiate-induced inhibition of the respiratory drive.