Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.
Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome is common due to the current opioid addiction epidemic. Infants born to women covertly abusing prescription opioids may not be identified as at risk until withdrawal signs present. Buprenorphine is a newer treatment for maternal opioid addiction and appears to result in a milder withdrawal syndrome than methadone. Initial treatment is with nonpharmacological measures including decreasing stimuli, however pharmacological treatment is commonly required. Opioid monotherapy is preferred, with phenobarbital or clonidine uncommonly needed as adjunctive therapy. Rooming-in and breastfeeding may decease the severity of withdrawal. Limited evidence is available regarding long-term effects of perinatal opioid exposure.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico, 2400 Tucker North East, MSC09 5040, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA. Electronic address: lleeman@salud.unm.edu.
Mary Beth
MB
Sutter
Departments of Family and Community Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of New Mexico, 2400 Tucker North East, MSC09 5040, NM 87131, USA.
Lawrence
L
Leeman
Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, MSC10 5590, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Andrew
A
Hsi
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009357:Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine; D008691:Methadone
Buprenorphine; Methadone; Neonatal abstinence syndrome; Neonatal opioid withdrawal; Perinatal substance abuse