What complication can be commonly seen in infants at birth if codeine is taken during the third trimester?

Taking codeine during the third trimester of pregnancy can lead to respiratory complications in newborns. This occurs because codeine is an opioid medication that can cross the placenta and affect the infant's central nervous system. Infants exposed to opioids in utero may experience neonatal withdrawal syndrome or other respiratory distress issues at birth. These breathing difficulties can manifest as slowed or irregular breathing patterns, which might require medical intervention.

The other options, such as cleft palate, heart murmur, and spina bifida, are associated with different teratogenic risks or factors and are not specifically linked to codeine use in the same manner as respiratory complications. Cleft palate is typically associated with other risk factors, heart murmurs can arise from various congenital heart conditions unrelated to codeine, and spina bifida is related to maternal folate deficiency or environmental factors rather than opioid exposure. This distinction helps clarify why respiratory difficulties are a notable concern when discussing the effects of codeine taken during the third trimester.