Neonatal effects of the administration of meperidine and promethazine to the mother in labor. Double blind study

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Abstract
The possible neonatal effects of the administration of meperidine and promethazine in labors, principally in connection with the neurobehavior of the newborn babies in the 1st hours of life, were studied. A homogeneous group of babies were used as a control group for possible changes. The tests were made in double blind and always by the same tester. The Apgar score and the early neonatal morbidity evaluated while in hospital did not give any significant statistic results in the 2 groups. Some neurobehavioral tests appeared more frequently altered in statistically significant terms according to the Brazelton scale. The tests which showed these changes (in the sense of a deviation from the best performance) were those concerning the hand-to-mouth activity (P < 0.001), the plantar reflex (P < 0.001) and the general body tone, evaluated with different parameters (ventral suspension: P < 0.01; passive movements: P < 0.001). The other tests, which showed slight variations, remained in the confidence limits. It was not possible to notice any interaction between the alteration of the tests and the time between the administration and delivery or the moment of the neurologic test. The presence of slightly insufficient tests does not seem to be connected with the time of intrauterine permanence.

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