Effect of Diazepam Administered to Mothers During Labour on Temperature Regulation of Neonate

Abstract

Falls in temperature in the first nine hours after delivery were studied in a group of 12 babies whose mothers had received diazepam in labour, and in 13 comparable babies not exposed to diazepam. A significantly lower mean temperature was found in the test group within the first three hours. Cord blood levels of diazepam did not correlate with either maternal levels at delivery, the extent of the temperature drop, or the condition of the baby at birth, though there was an increased incidence of assisted delivery and resuscitation of the infants in the test group.