title: Neonatal abstinence syndrome and the gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: Development of a healthy gut microbiome is essential in newborns to establish immunity and protection from pathogens. Recent studies suggest that infants who develop dysbiosis may be at risk for lifelong adverse health consequences. Exposure to opioid drugs during pregnancy is a factor of potential importance for microbiome health that has not yet been investigated. Since these infants are born after an entire gestation exposed to mu opioid receptor agonists and have severe gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, we hypothesize that these infants are at risk for dysbiosis. We speculate that opioid exposure during gestation and development of NAS at birth may lead to a dysbiotic gut microbiome, which may impair normal microbiome succession and development, and impact future health of these children.
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida College of Nursing, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 22, Tampa, FL, United States. Electronic address: Dmaguire@health.usf.edu.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maguire
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida College of Nursing, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 22, Tampa, FL, United States.
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gröer
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D064806:Dysbiosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects; D064307:Microbiota; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009357:Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000473:pathology*; D012306:Risk; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine; D008691:Methadone