title: Drug-of-abuse testing in the neonate.
abstract: Drug-exposed mothers and infants continue to challenge maternal and infant health care resources. Complex family problems, polydrug abuse, long-standing drug use, and resistance to change may complicate intervention and treatment. Maternal motivation to change may be significant at the time of a child's birth, however. Identification of the infant exposed to drugs of abuse may provide an opportunity for health care providers to intervene at a time when the mother is open to assistance in addressing her drug abuse problem. Performing drug testing on the neonate without providing the necessary family assessment, referral, and follow-up services limits the usefulness of the test. Awareness of community resources, referral mechanisms, and involvement of social services provides an integrated approach to the family and a better outcome for the infant.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Reinarz
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ecord
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*