A mother prescribed methadone during pregnancy may present with which symptoms?

Methadone is a long-acting opioid that is often prescribed to manage addiction and pain during pregnancy. When a mother is prescribed methadone, the fetus can be affected, leading to a condition known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) after birth. One of the common symptoms seen in infants who are exposed to methadone during pregnancy is tachypnea, which is characterized by rapid or difficulty in breathing. This symptom may occur due to the withdrawal effects from the methadone.

Tachypnea is an important symptom to monitor because it can indicate respiratory distress in newborns resulting from their exposure to opioids in utero. In this context, understanding the effects of methadone is crucial for the management and monitoring of the newborn immediately after birth. Infants may also show other symptoms of withdrawal, but tachypnea stands out as a significant clinical observation related directly to the respiratory system.