Finding the right treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome: is this the right time?

J Perinatol. 2018 Jul;38(7):785-787. doi: 10.1038/s41372-018-0090-2. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Abstract

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a constellation of withdrawal symptoms in infants born to mothers with chronic opioid use during pregnancy. A proportion of infants will need pharmacotherapy in addition to non-pharmacological interventions. In this article, we reviewed a clinical trial comparing the use of sublingual buprenorphine to oral morphine (the most widely used pharmacotherapy for NAS) in term infants. The primary end point was the duration of treatment, and secondary end points were the length of hospital stay, the proportion of infants who needed supplemental phenobarbital, and safety.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Administration, Sublingual
  • Buprenorphine / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Decision-Making / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Morphine / therapeutic use*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy, High-Risk*
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Term Birth
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Buprenorphine
  • Morphine