Effects of naloxone on the breathing pattern of a newborn exposed to maternal opiates

Aim: To give new insights into how an infant responded to naloxone, given after acquiring a maternal opiate by recording the breathing pattern directly after birth. Method: A respiratory recording is presented of an infant during resuscitation in the delivery room after receiving naloxone for respiratory depression, resulting from maternal remifentanyl use. Results: The infant was born apneic and bradycardic. Normal resuscitation manoeuvres had no effect on the respiratory drive. Directly after administration of naloxone, a tachypneic breathing pattern with sporadic expiratory breaking manoeuvres was observed. Conclusion: The immediate tachypnoea is most likely a direct effect of the naloxone causing an immediate ‘rebound response’ after the release of the opiate‐induced inhibition of the respiratory drive.