A rare and little known cause of convulsions in the newborn is congenital morphinism. Although unmentioned in standard textbooks of pediatrics or medicine, it is known to physicians whose patients include morphine addicts and who thus have learned that children born to addicted mothers often die in the first week of life. The infants are born at full term and are apparently normal, but their addiction matches that of their mothers. Separation from the maternal circulation shuts off the supply of drug to the newborn, and withdrawal symptoms ensue within three days. Infrequent reports of congenital morphinism have appeared in the literature, the first in 1875.1In 1892 Happel reported the cases of 12 infants born to mothers who were drug addicts. Nine of the 12 infants died.2In 1900 he added 5 more cases.3In 1903 a correspondent, O. D., wrote in "Queries and Minor Notes"