A study of plasma diazepam levels in mother and infant.

A 10 mg dose of diazepam was given intravenously to mothers at 15 to 205 minutes before delivery, and plasma diazepam concentrations were measured by gas-liquid chromatography in mothers and infants at delivery and again 24 hours later. The plasma levels in the infants were always significantly higher than in the mothers but there was no evidence to suggest that the newborn were unable to metabolize the drug. All infants had a good Apgar score at birth.