Side Effects of Methadone on Babies

Methadone is frequently prescribed to expecting mothers as a substitute for illegal drugs such as heroin that carry high risks for both the mother and baby, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The risks attached to methadone are considered to be lower than the risk associated with the use of these illegal drugs. Detoxing from methadone is not recommended during the first trimester since it can increase the risk for miscarriage. Detoxing during the last trimester is not recommended either, since the mother’s withdrawal symptoms may cause stress and lack of oxygen in the baby. Although using methadone during pregnancy may be better than using illegal opioids, it can cause serious side-effects and complications in the fetus and newborn 1.

Immediate

The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that approximately 60 to 80 percent of the infants show at least some immediate side effects following the methadone exposure. Among the most common side effects are pinpoint pupils, confusion, nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure, decreased heart rate, dry mouth, eyes or nose, and raised pressure inside the skull.

Long-Term

Is Drug Testing Newborn Babies Required in Hospitals?

Learn More

Babies exposed to methadone often suffer from decreased fetal growth, low birth weight and height, as well as small head circumference, according to the Drugs.com 1. Luckily, these deficits do not seem to persist into later childhood. Children born to women treated with methadone commonly demonstrate mild but persistent deficits in their psychometric and behavioral tests, even years after birth.

Methadone Withdrawal

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, neonatal opiate abstinence syndrome is a generalized disorder characterized by autonomic nervous system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system dysfunctions. Usually these symptoms first appear 48 to 72 hours after the birth, but they may also appear later because methadone is stored in fetal tissue. In addition to the classic methadone side effect symptoms, infants may also develop jaundice and have an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Dr. C. Dryden and colleagues showed in a study published in the “British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology” in October 2008 that if the mother continues taking methadone after the baby is born, breastfeeding may help ease some of the withdrawal signs in the neonate 2.