Abstract
Features of drug-behavioral interaction were studied in 42 healthy vaginally delivered newborns who were exposed either to local anesthesia or centrally acting opioids during labor and delivery. Each drug group consisted of 14 infants (7 males, 7 females). Results revealed that infants whose mothers received no anesthesia or only an epidural block with a local anesthetic (Marcaine) performed better on the neurobehavioral portion of testing than infants whose mothers received an epidural with narcotic sedatives (Demerol or Fentanyl). There was also an interactive effect between sex and drug group on salivary cortisol following stimulation. There were no significant effects for drug group or sex on gross measures of crying. Obstetric medication effects on newborn behavior and stress hormone changes appear to be influenced in varying degrees by drug potency, temporal factors, and sex of the infant.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
