Final answer:
Infants born to heroin-addicted mothers typically exhibit withdrawal symptoms, which may include excessive crying, tremors, feeding difficulties, and seizures. These infants are treated with medically supervised weaning from heroin, using medications like methadone as needed. Due to the teratogenic effects of heroin, ongoing follow-up care for developmental outcomes is important.
Step-by-step explanation:
An infant born to a heroin-addicted mother is likely to exhibit several behaviors due to withdrawal from the drug upon birth. This condition is known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and can result in a variety of symptoms that require medical intervention and monitoring. These symptoms often include excessive crying, trembling, hyperreflexia, seizures, and gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, they may have difficulty feeding and could experience slow weight gain as a result of feeding problems. Infants may also show signs of irritability and have trouble with sleeping.
Treatment for an infant with NAS typically involves gradually weaning off the heroin, which needs to be done under strict medical supervision to manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent serious complications like seizures, which can be life-threatening if not managed correctly. In some cases, medicines such as methadone may be used to help manage symptoms of withdrawal in the infant.
Given that heroin is a teratogen, there might also be concerns about long-term developmental outcomes, highlighting the importance of early intervention and consistent follow-up care for these infants. While treating physical withdrawal symptoms is vital, comprehensive care that addresses developmental needs is also critical for the infant's overall well-being.