Floppy infant syndrome and sedation in the new born may also occur.

Floppy infant syndrome may occur if benzodiazepines are given close to or during delivery.

Use of benzodiazepines in late pregnancy especially high doses may result in floppy infant syndrome.

The term "floppy infant syndrome" is used to describe abnormal limpness when an infant is prone.

Symptoms of floppy infant syndrome and the neonatal benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome have been reported to persist from hours to months after birth.

Lorazepam given to pregnant women antenatally may cause floppy infant syndrome in the neonate, or respiratory depression necessitating ventilation.

Babies who suffer from the most serious form of the disorder, called floppy infant disease, are born with most of their spinal cord cells already destroyed.

Clonazepam when used late in pregnancy may result in the development of a severe benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome in the neonate and also floppy infant syndrome.

Possible adverse effects of use of benzodiazepines such as clonazepam during pregnancy include; abortion, malformation, intrauterine growth retardation, functional deficits, floppy infant syndrome, carcinogenesis and mutagenesis.

Their use by expectant mothers shortly before the delivery may result in a floppy infant syndrome, with the newborns suffering from hypotonia, hypothermia, lethargy, and breathing and feeding difficulties.

This rare yet fatal infant disease has symptoms ranging from severe neonatal hypotonia ("floppy infant syndrome") to peripheral neuropathy, inability to stand or walk, respiratory distress, and eventually premature death in early life.

'We Need More Proof' "We also have preliminary data that suggest the most serious type, floppy infant disease, results from mutations in that gene as well, but we need more proof," Dr. Gilliam said.