Prenatal buprenorphine exposure and neonatal neurobehavioral functioning

Aims: Assessments of effects of prenatal opioid exposure on the neonate have consisted principally of evaluations of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) to determine the need for pharmacotherapy. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the effects of gestational maternal buprenorphine maintenance on newborn neurobehavioral functioning.

Study design: Maternal substance use history and psychosocial demographics that can contribute to the neurobehavioral functioning of the infant were explored. Infants were assessed using the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) to measure their neurologic and behavioral functioning and signs of stress/abstinence on days 3, 14 and 30 of life.

Subjects: Participants were 41 pregnant buprenorphine-maintained women and their infants.

Results: Maternal buprenorphine dose at delivery was negatively correlated with infant quality of movement and self-regulation, and positively correlated with the central nervous system parameters of stress/abstinence at day 3 of life. As maternal buprenorphine dose increased, the mean morphine dose that the infant required for NAS treatment significantly increased. No differences were found when comparing the NNNS domain scores between infants who required pharmacotherapy for NAS versus those who did not at day 3 of life.

Conclusions: Buprenorphine exposure during pregnancy can alter neonatal neurobehavioral and physiological responses to stimuli. A systematic evaluation of the newborn's functional domains above NAS assessment alone is crucial to address the challenges created by neurobehavioral dysregulation associated with substance exposure, improve caregiver/infant interaction and developmental trajectory. Comprehensive pre/postnatal treatment of buprenorphine-maintained mothers can lead to healthier outcomes for the dyad.