title: Skin conductance in neonates suffering from abstinence syndrome and unexposed newborns.
abstract: The aims of this study were to compare the skin conductance (SC) of newborns with opiate-induced neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) to that of unexposed newborns and to evaluate the potential of SC readings to detect distress in the context of NAS objectively. The SC of 12 newborns with NAS and 12 unexposed newborns was measured at nine specific times during their first 6 weeks of life. The number of SC fluctuations per second (NSCF/s), the amplitude of SC fluctuation, and the mean level of SC were recorded and analyzed. The SC of newborns treated for symptoms of NAS differed significantly from the SC of unexposed newborns with regard to the NSCF/s (p = 0.04). With the mean level of SC, we observed an interaction between groups over time (p value for interaction = 0.02). With increasing postnatal age, we observed higher values in all three SC parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NSCF/s and the mean level of SC appear to be suitable to reflect the distress of newborns suffering from NAS. As it is known that the sensitivity of SC increases with the level of stress experienced, its potential to indicate elevated stress levels in infants with NAS should be investigated in future studies evaluating different therapy regimens.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  • Skin conductance is a result of the filling of palmar and plantar sweat glands innervated by the sympathetic nervous system • Skin conductance can be used as a measure of stress and pain in newborns What is New: • Skin conductance of newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) differs significantly from the SC of non-substance-exposed newborns during the first 6 weeks of life • Skin conductance appears to reflect the increased distress of infants with NAS.
authors.affiliation: Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Children's Hospital of the University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 34, 50931, Cologne, Germany.|Children's Hospital Agaplesion Diakonieklinik Rotenburg, Elise-Averdieck-Straße 17, 27356, Rotenburg (Wümme), Germany.
authors.forename: Nicola Elisabeth
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Schubach
authors.affiliation: Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Children's Hospital of the University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 34, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mehler
authors.affiliation: Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Children's Hospital of the University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 34, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital of the City of Cologne, Amsterdamerstrasse 59, 50735, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Eckhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Korsch
authors.affiliation: Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Asklepios Klinik Barmbek, Hamburg, Rübenkamp 220, 22291, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Rainhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laux
authors.affiliation: Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Children's Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52/N23, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.affiliation: Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Altonaer Children's Hospital, Altonaer Kinderkrankenhaus, Bleickenallee 38, 22763, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: von der Wense
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: András
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Treszl
authors.affiliation: Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Children's Hospital of the University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 34, 50931, Cologne, Germany. christoph.huenseler@uk-koeln.de.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hünseler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009357:Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid
keywords: Neonatal abstinence syndrome; Newborn infants; Opiate withdrawal; Skin conductance