[Pregnancy, labour, and puerperium in heroin addicted women, with reference to experience and the present state of knowledge (author's transl)].

The mounting problems of drug addiction now also confront the obstetrician and pediatrician. 1/3 of the 60,000 addicts to opiates in the Federal Republic of Germany are women. Of these 80% are in the reproductive age group. Despite endocrine problems pregnancies do occur and are high risk pregnancies because of hepatitis, venereal disease, malnutrition, phlebitis, abscesses, premature deliveries, premature rupture of the membranes, malpresentations, dysmaturity, pre-eclampsia, and numerous other social and psychological problems. Because of the varying content of heroin on the black market the fetus runs the risk of acute overdose or withdrawal. Withdrawal results in extremely marked fetal movements, with increased oxygen consumption and a danger of intra-uterine asphyxia sometimes resulting in intra-uterine fetal death. Most newborns develop a withdrawal syndrome with irritability, high pitched cries, shivering, tachycardia, perspirations, fever and generalized seizures. The experience of the Department for Women for the Free University in Berlin-Charlottenburg are presented and compared to a review of the literature. The medical, social, and psychological aspects of the problem are discussed.