Inhaling heroin during pregnancy: Effects on the baby

Abstract

In 1984 drug pushers moved into two areas of high unemployment and poor housing served by our neonatal unit. We were suddenly confronted with the problem of antenatal drug abuse and its effects on neonates. An estimated 95% of heroin abusers in Merseyside inhale heroin (“chasing the dragon”) rather than inject it. The effect of this mode of abuse on the newborn infant has been less well documented than the effect of intravenous heroin abuse. © 1988, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.