[Children of drug-dependent mothers--personal experiences and review of the literature].

The increasing incidence of drug abuse in central Europe leads to a growing number of children with intrauterine drug exposure. During pregnancy various risks affect these children. Postnatally severe symptoms of withdrawal are observed frequently. The psychosocial development is endangered. Between 1986 and 1990 30 drug dependent women attended the obstetric department of the University Hospital Basel during pregnancy. The data of 21 children born to mothers drug dependent at birth were evaluated. 11 children were born in 1990. 12 mothers received Methadon, 10 were polydrug abusers. Positive serology was found for hepatitis in 18, for HIV-infection in 9 women. 6 babies were premature, 8 were small for gestational age. 20 newborns presented withdrawal symptoms which required a mean hospitalization time of 45 days. Tonic and/or clonic seizures were observed in 6 neonates. In 9 other children some symptoms were suspicious of seizures. EEG recordings were pathological in 10 of 12 infants. For the control of withdrawal symptoms 16 children received pharmacological treatment for a mean duration of 61 days. Neurodevelopmental examinations were performed in 14 children at an average age of 22 months. Neurological findings were pathological in 2 children. 3 had mild, 2 had severe mental retardation, 5 presented with behavioural disturbances. Our data are compared with those of the literature. Therapeutic proposals for children of drug dependent mothers are presented. The impact of methadon programs on the exposed children is discussed.