1267 endogenous opiates cause neonatal depression following fetal asphyxia

ABSTRACT Naloxone, a specific opiate antagonist, greatly modifies the ventilatory response to asphyxia in the newborn rabbit (Chernick et al, Ped. Res. 14:357, 1980). Do endogenous opiates

affect the neonatal adaptation to birth following fetal asphyxia? Pregnant does (day 30) were given naloxone (1 mg/kg I.V.) or saline (2.5 ml I.V.), and 5 minutes later placed in a chamber

containing 7% CO2 in N2. The does expired at 3-4 min., the fetuses were delivered at 10 min., and kept warm by a heating lamp. A ‘blinded’ observer assessed the pups at 1,3,5,10,15 and 30

min. post delivery using a scoring technique for respiration, color, muscle tone, response to stimulation and general activity. Pups in the naloxone group (n=27) had significantly higher

scores than those in the saline group (n=24) for the first 15 min. of life but by 30 min. the difference was not significant. Similar experiments were done in which pregnant does were given

7% CO2 in N2. At 10 min. I.P. fetal injection through the uterine wall of either saline or naloxone (0.5 mg/kg) was done and the fetus delivered. However, saline injected pups had high

scores even at 1 min. and these scores remained high and not different from naloxone treated pups. Thus, endogenous opiates cause neonatal depression during the first 15 min. after birth

following fetal asphyxia and this depression is reversed by naloxone and intraperitoneal injection per se. (Supported by M.R.C. Canada and the Children's Hospital of Winnipeg Research

Foundation Inc.) ARTICLE PDF AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Univ. of Manitoba, Dept. of Peds., Winnipeg, Manitoba Victor Chernick & Randy J Craig Authors * Victor Chernick

View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Randy J Craig View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Chernick, V., Craig, R. 1267 ENDOGENOUS OPIATES CAUSE NEONATAL DEPRESSION FOLLOWING FETAL ASPHYXIA.

_Pediatr Res_ 15 (Suppl 4), 654 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01296 Download citation * Issue Date: 01 April 1981 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01296

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