Part II. Behavioral and electrophysiological characteristics of the addicted neonate.

The neonatal withdrawal period was characterized by heightened auditory responsiveness and orientation, lowered overall alertness and poor attentiveness to and following of visual stimuli. Electroencephalographic recordings revealed high-frequency dysynchronous activity suggestive of cns irritability. Analysis of evoked response data further corroborated the behavioral findings with evidence for low arousal value of visual stimulation in the vertex frequency characteristics and poorly defined occipital responses. Auditory evoked responses appeared better integrated, and a significant correlation was found between auditory orienting ability and latency of the P2 component. The long-range developmental significance of these neonatal characteristics awaits further follow-up investigation.