Near delivery, Benadryl use may lead to which outcome in the newborn?

• A. Neonatal withdrawal
• B. Neonatal jaundice
• C. Neonatal respiratory distress
• D. No effect on newborn

Answer: (A)

Late exposure to a drug that can cause dependence can lead to neonatal withdrawal after birth when exposure stops. Diphenhydramine crosses the placenta and, if used near delivery, the newborn may show withdrawal-like symptoms as the drug exposure ends after birth. This is the best answer because it captures the potential postnatal effects of in utero exposure to a habit-forming or psychoactive drug. Neonatal jaundice or respiratory distress are not the typical direct consequences of late-term antihistamine exposure, and saying there is no effect ignores the drug’s ability to impact the fetus.