It i s known t h a t morphine and related compounds suppress REM sleep i n the adult. This study was undertaken t o determine if infants of heroin and methadone-addicted mothers would exhib i t a l t e r e d sleep patterns i n withdrawal. EOG, EMG, and r e s p i ra t i o n were recorded by multichannel polygraph on 10 i n f a n t s (4 methadone, 6 heroin) f o r 2%-4 hr. periods p r i o r to, during, and a f t e r chlorpromazine therapy (2.0 mg/kg/d). It was found t h a t heroin and methadone o b l i t e r a t e d REM sleep and t h a t periods o f q u i e t sleep were r a r e before treatment. After a minimum o f 48 hrs. therapy, b r i e f but i d e n t i f i a b l e periods of REM appeared, increasing i n frequency as successful withdrawal occurred. However REM occupied a maximum o f so o f sleep time.Since t h i s state i s normally present i n the newborn and i s thought t o be t h a t period o f sleep i n which neuronal p r o t e i n synthesis i s most active, and since heroin and methadone suppress REM, i t was concluded t h a t suitable treatment o f withdrawal i s essential, not simply t o r e l i e v e symptoms, but also t o promote more normal and necessary sleep patterns during t h i s c r i t i c a l time o f brain development. This may, indeed, be especially valuable f o r those i n f a n t s already demonstrating i n t r a u t e r i n e growth retardation w i t h maternal addiction. The effects of new environmental agents on child health i s a subject of considerable interest. Of special concern are the long-term effects of such agents and more specifically t h e i r carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and teratogenicity which i s a function of t h e i r a b i l i t y t o modify cellular DNA. The purpose of t h i s study i s t o determine the effects of b i l irubin and/or i t s photodecomposition products on the u l t r as t r u c t u r a l arrangement of the DNA molecule. Mammalian and bacterial DNA solutions were illuminated under a phototherapy unit (Vita-Lite), 2pU/cn? in the 410-500 n m wavelength band f o r 6 hours in the presence or absence of bilirubin. Bilirubin was found t o form a complex with the DNA molecule and in the presence of l i g h t there results: ( 1 ) a decrease in the sedimentation coefficient of the DNA, ( 2 ) an increase in the thermal denaturation temperature and ( 3 ) no significant change in the buoyant density. These findings suggest t h a t the billrubin-DNA complex results from the intercalation of the bilirubin between the D N A strands. Upon irradiation the bilirubin i s activated and t h i s i s accanpanied by a cleavage of phosphodiester bonds which maintain the DNA structure. Studies on the mutagenicity of bilirubin and i t s photodegradation products are proceeding. These observations emphasize the importance of long-term follm-up i n children with hyperbilirubinemia treated with phototherapy.
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EFFECT OF BICARBONATE INFUSION IN NEUBaRN DOCS. Jc.n.Steichen and Uonard I. Kleinrun, Univ. of Cincinnati College of hkdicine, Depsrtmnt of Pediatrics. Cincinnati. Ohio....
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