Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2015 Nov;39(7):561-5.
doi: 10.1053/j.semperi.2015.08.013.

Opioids in pregnancy and neonatal abstinence syndrome

Megan W Stover  1 , Jonathan M Davis  2
Affiliations
Review

Opioids in pregnancy and neonatal abstinence syndrome

Megan W Stover et al. Semin Perinatol. 2015 Nov.

Abstract

Opiate use in pregnancy has increased dramatically over the past decade and now represents a major public health problem. More women are using prescription opioids, illegal opioids, and opioid-substitution therapy. These drugs have been associated with numerous obstetrical complications including intrauterine growth restriction, placental abruption, preterm delivery, oligohydramnios, stillbirth, and maternal death. Neonatal complications are also significant, such as an increased risk of mortality as well as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS is a serious and highly variable condition characterized by central nervous system hyperirritability and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The present review seeks to define current practices regarding the management of opiate dependence in pregnancy and care of the neonate with prenatal opiate exposure. Since genetic factors appear to be associated with the incidence and severity of NAS, opportunities for "personalized genomic medicine" and unique therapeutic interventions could be developed in the future.

Keywords: Neonatal abstinence syndrome; Newborn; Opioids; Pregnancy.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Paulozzi LJ MK, Hockenberry JM. Vital signs: Variation among states in prescribing opioid pain relievers and benzodiazepines - United States, 2012. MMWR. 2014;63:563–8. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Ailes EC DA, Lind JN, Gilboa SM, Frey MT, Broussard CS, Honein MA. Opioid Prescription Claims Among Women of Reproductive Age — United States, 2008–2012. MMWR. 2015;64:37–41. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Patrick SW, Schumacher RE, Benneyworth BD, Krans EE, McAllister JM, Davis MM. Neonatal abstinence syndrome and associated health care expenditures: United States, 2000–2009. JAMA. 2012;307:1934–40. - PubMed
    1. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment: SAHMSA/CSAT treatment improvement protocols. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Rockville (MD): 2008. Medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction during pregnancy. - PubMed
    1. Swift RM, Dudley M, DePetrillo P, Camara P, Griffiths W. Altered methadone pharmacokinetics in pregnancy: implications for dosing. J Substance Abuse. 1989;1:453–60. - PubMed

MeSH terms

Substances