Effect of Heroin Withdrawal on Respiratory Rate and Acid-Base Status in the Newborn

Abstract

Measurements of respiratory rates and acid-base status were made on 22 neonates of heroin-addicted mothers with signs of acute heroin withdrawal and on 19 normal infants of similar birth weight and gestational age. The infants with acute heroin withdrawal showed increased respiratory rates that were associated with hypocapnia and an increase in blood pH during the first week of life. The observed respiratory alkalosis may have a beneficial role in the binding of indirect serum bilirubin to albumin and, possibly, in prevention of the respiratory-distress syndrome, rarely observed in infants of heroin-addicted mothers. On the other hand, the alkalosis decreases the levels of ionized calcium.