Nonpharmacological management of neonatal abstinence syndrome: a review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) experience withdrawal that occurs as a result of termination of placental opioid supply following delivery. Common symptoms include restlessness, tremors, agitation and gastrointestinal disturbances. Severe NAS is often treated using opioids and/or sedatives. Although commonly employed effectively in neonatal care, there is a lack of published information regarding nonpharmacological management of the NAS infant.

Objective: The purpose of this review was to summarize the current literature on nonpharmacological management of NAS.

Methods: A literature search of Medline and EMBASE was performed for articles published between 2000 and June 2107.

Results: Nonpharmacological management encompasses "environmental control", "feeding methods", "social integration", "soothing techniques" and "therapeutic modalities". Several interventions, including: breastfeeding, swaddling, rooming-in, environmental control and skin to skin contact have proven to be effective in managing NAS and should be incorporated into standard of care for this population (Level I-III Evidence). These interventions can be effective when offered in combination with pharmacological therapy, or as stand-alone therapy for less severe cases of NAS (Finnegan score <8).

Conclusions: Given the increasing body of evidence on its efficacy and ease of implementation, nonpharmacological treatment should universally be incorporated into standard of care for NAS.

Keywords: Neonatal abstinence syndrome; nonpharmacological; opioid-related disorders; therapeutics.