Neonatal therapy after maternal central neurotropic drug exposure—a retrospective cohort study

Objective: Evaluation of neonatal morbidity after maternal central neurotropic drug exposure. Methods: Retrospective single-center level-III neonatology cohort analysis of neonates after CND from 2018 to 2021. Control group of neonates born to mothers without CND cared for at the maternity ward. Results: Significantly more frequent therapy need of neonates with CND [OR 23 (95% CI: 7.8–62); RR 14 (95% CI: 5.4–37); p < 0.01]. Neonates after CND had lower Apgar-scores LM 1 [CND 8.1; CG 8.6; p < 0.05]; LM 5 [CND 9; CG 9.7; p < 0.01]; LM 10 [CND 9.6; CG 9.9; p < 0.05]. The first symptom occurred in 95.35% within 24 h (mean: 3.3 h). CND group showed significantly more often preterm delivery [OR 3.5; RR 3.2; p < 0.05], and especially cumulative multiple symptoms [OR 9.4; RR 6.6; p < 0.01] but no correlation to multiple maternal medication use (p = 0.3). Conclusions: Neonates exposed to CND are at increased risk for postnatal therapy, often due to multiple symptoms. Neonates should be continuously monitored for at least 24 h.