Decreased incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage in infants of opiate dependent mothers.

The incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in infants born to opiate dependent mothers was compared to infants whose mothers denied the use of addicting substances. The two groups were comparable in birth weight, gestational age, 1 and 5 min Apgar scores, and sex distribution. The incidence of breech presentations, PROM, and type of anesthesia at delivery were similar. However, more infants in the control group were delivered by cesarean section. The incidence of IVH was 52% in the controls and 23% in the opiate infants (p less than 0.05). Neonatal risk factors such as use of ventilators, incidence of pneumothorax, administration of pressor and sedative drugs, acidosis, use of alkali therapy and volume expanders, fluid therapy in the first three days and transfers to other hospitals were the same.