Pentazocine and tripelennamine ('T's and blue's'): effects on the fetus and neonate.

Three groups of women enrolled in a comprehensive perinatal addiction program were studied. Group I (n = 13) were addicted to pentazocine and tripelennamine (T's and blue's), group II were low-dose methadone-maintained women (n = 46) and group III women were drug-free controls (n = 27). No differences were seen in maternal age, gravidity, obstetrical complications, gestational age or neonatal Apgar scores. Significant differences were observed between drug-exposed and drug-free neonates in birth weight, length and head circumference. An evaluation of neonatal behavior using the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale revealed that infants of mothers who used T's and blue's throughout pregnancy demonstrated interactive deficits and withdrawal similar to methadone-addicted newborns.