Symptoms of neonatal ethanol withdrawal.

Abstract

Neonatal withdrawal symptoms in 15 cases of fetal alcohol syndrome with maternal intoxication at time of delivery, reported in 9 studies, are compared with symptoms reported in 138 cases of neonatal narcotic withdrawal. Seen frequently in ethanol but rarely in narcotic withdrawal are abdominal distention and opisthotonos. Seen frequently in narcotic but rarely in ethanol withdrawal are high pitch cry, frequent yawning, excessive sucking, mottling of the skin, excoriation, nasal stuffiness, excess sweating, sleeplessness and diarrhea. Seen frequently in both are increased muscle tonicity and tremors; however, convulsions are rare in narcotic yet are fairly frequent in neonatal ethanol withdrawal.