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Am J Perinatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2552-0715
Clinical Research Article

Head Ultrasound Findings in Infants with Birth Weight >1,500 g and Gestational Age >32 Weeks Exposed to Prenatal Opioids

Rishika P. Sakaria 
1   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
,
Divya Rana 
1   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
,
Mimily Harsono 
1   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
,
Harris L. Cohen
2   Department of Radiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
,
Massroor Pourcyrous
1   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
3   Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
4   Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of prenatal exposure to opioids on head ultrasound (HUS) and to determine the need for routine HUS evaluation in infants exposed to prenatal opioids.

Study Design

This is a retrospective cohort study performed at a level III NICU. Infants >32 weeks gestational age and >1,500 g birth weight with prenatal opioid exposure (n = 127) were included in this study. Data including demographic information and HUS results were recorded.

Results

Twenty (16%) infants were exposed to opioids only whereas the rest of the infants (84%) were exposed to opioids plus other drugs (polysubstance) in utero. Sixteen of 127 infants (13%) had abnormal initial HUS. Sub-ependymal hemorrhage or grade 1 intraventricular hemorrhage was the most common abnormal finding. Absent septum pellucidum was seen in three infants.

Conclusion

A relatively large proportion (13%) of infants in this study had abnormal HUS findings; however, further studies are required to correlate HUS findings with a specific drug of exposure, duration of exposure, polysubstance use, umbilical cord drug concentration levels, and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Key Points

  • Limited data exists regarding HUS findings in infants with prenatal opioid exposure.

  • A relatively large proportion of infants exposed to opioids in utero had abnormal HUS.

  • Subependymal hemorrhages or grade I intraventricular hemorrhage was the most common abnormal finding.

Keywords

intraventricular hemorrhage - head ultrasounds - late preterm - term neonates - maternal opioid use


Publication History

Received: 03 December 2024

Accepted: 05 March 2025

Article published online:
29 March 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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