Effect of maternal heroin addiction on 67 liveborn neonates. Withdrawal symptoms, small body size, and small head circumference were frequent findings.

It is apparent that maternal addiction affects the fetus and causes serious problems in the neonatal period. Whether intrauterine exposure to heroin has far-reaching, long-term residual effects remains to be determined. We believe that prospective studies are indicated in order to evaluate the incidence of small head circumference, the pattern of intrauterine growth retardation, and the correlation of these findings with later neurologic and behavioral development.