Cocaine effects on neonatal heart rate dynamics: preliminary findings and methodological problems

Cocaine use by pregnant women has been reported to cause fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that human neonates exposed to cocaine via maternal use during pregnancy might manifest changes in beat-to-beat heart rate variability, similar to those described in experimental anim...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Yale journal of biology & medicine 1993-03, Vol.66 (2), p.75-84
Main Authors: Oriol, N E, Bennett, F M, Rigney, D R, Goldberger, A L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cocaine - adverse effects
Female
Heart Rate - drug effects
Humans
Infant, Newborn - physiology
Maternal-Fetal Exchange
Pregnancy
Substance-Related Disorders
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Summary:Cocaine use by pregnant women has been reported to cause fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that human neonates exposed to cocaine via maternal use during pregnancy might manifest changes in beat-to-beat heart rate variability, similar to those described in experimental animals. In this preliminary report, we present findings from the first systematic analysis of heart rate dynamics in a small group of (n = 5) neonates exposed in utero to cocaine compared to gestationally age matched controls (n = 6) without known drug exposure. Overall heart rate spectral power during ten minute periods of quiescent sleep was significantly reduced (p < 0.01) in the cocaine-exposed group, reminiscent of the changes recently reported in an animal model. In two other cocaine-exposed newborns, a quiescent sleep period could not be found. We discuss the special methodological problems associated with collection and interpretation of such data.
ISSN:0044-0086
1551-4056