Neonatal Abstinence Signs during Treatment

Trajectory, Resurgence and Heterogeneity

Bibliographic Data

ID15716374
AuthorsJennifer S Miller (0000-0002-0418-7648, University of Kentucky), Henrietta S Bada (0000-0003-0169-3075, University of Kentucky, corresponding author), Philip M Westgate (0000-0003-2991-268X, University of Kentucky), Thitinart Sithisarn (0000-0002-5878-9986, University of Kentucky), Markos Leggas (0000-0003-4314-4533, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital)
Year2024
Volume11
Issue2
Pages203-203
Publication date2024-02-05
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children11020203
PMID38397314
OpenAlexW4391542482
LanguageEN
References cited61

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) presents with a varying severity of withdrawal signs and length of treatment (LOT). We examined the course and relevance of each of the NAS withdrawal signs during treatment in a sample of 182 infants with any prenatal opioid exposure, gestational age ≥ 35 weeks, without other medical conditions, and meeting the criteria for pharmacological treatment. Infants were monitored using the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring Tool. Daily mean Finnegan scores were estimated using linear mixed models with random subject effects to account for repeated withdrawal scores from the same subject. Daily item prevalence was estimated using generalized estimating equations with a within-subject exchangeable correlation structure. The median LOT was 12.86 days. The prevalence of withdrawal signs decreased from day one to day three of treatment. However, certain central nervous system (CNS) and gastrointestinal (GI) signs showed sporadic increases in prevalence notable around two weeks of treatment, accounting for increases in Finnegan scores that guided pharmacotherapy. We question whether the resurgence of signs with a prolonged LOT is mainly a consequence of opioid tolerance or withdrawal. Monitoring CNS and GI signs throughout treatment is crucial. Future studies directed to better understand this clinical phenomenon may lead to the refining of NAS pharmacotherapy and perhaps the discovery of treatment alternatives

Abstinence · Anesthesia · Gestational age · Opioid · Pharmacotherapy · Pregnancy · Psychiatry · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Neonatal and fetal brain pathology · Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics

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