Association of Rooming-in With Outcomes for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Importance: Rising incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is straining perinatal care systems. Newborns with NAS traditionally receive care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), but rooming-in with mother and family has been proposed to reduce the use of pharmacotherapy, length of stay (LOS), and cost.

Objective: To systematically review and meta-analyze if rooming-in is associated with improved outcomes for newborns with NAS.

Data sources: MEDLINE, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched from inception through June 25, 2017.

Study selection: This investigation included randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, quasi-experimental studies, and before-and-after quality improvement investigations comparing rooming-in vs standard NICU care for newborns with NAS.

Data extraction and synthesis: Two independent investigators reviewed studies for inclusion. A random-effects model was used to pool dichotomous outcomes using risk ratio (RR) and 95% CI. The study evaluated continuous outcomes using weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CI.

Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was newborn treatment with pharmacotherapy. Secondary outcomes included LOS, inpatient cost, and harms from treatment, including in-hospital adverse events and readmission rates.

Results: Of 413 publications, 6 studies (n = 549 [number of patients]) met inclusion criteria. In meta-analysis of 6 studies, there was consistent evidence that rooming-in is preferable to NICU care for reducing both the use of pharmacotherapy (RR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.19-0.71; I2 = 85%) and LOS (WMD, -10.41 days; 95% CI, -16.84 to -3.98 days; I2 = 91%). Sensitivity analysis resolved the heterogeneity for the use of pharmacotherapy, significantly favoring rooming-in (RR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.18-0.57; I2 = 13%). Three studies reported that inpatient costs were lower with rooming-in; however, significant heterogeneity precluded quantitative analysis. Qualitative analysis favored rooming-in over NICU care for increasing breastfeeding rates and discharge home in familial custody, but few studies reported on these outcomes. Rooming-in was not associated with higher rates of readmission or in-hospital adverse events.

Conclusions and relevance: Opioid-exposed newborns rooming-in with mother or other family members appear to be significantly less likely to be treated with pharmacotherapy and have substantial reductions in LOS compared with those cared for in NICUs. Rooming-in should be recommended as a preferred inpatient care model for NAS.

Figure 1.. PRISMA Study Selection Flow Diagram

PRISMA indicates Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses.

Figure 2.. Rooming-in vs Usual Care on the Need for Pharmacotherapy

A, Meta-analysis, including 6 studies. B, Sensitivity analysis, including only the before-and-after studies that were not quality improvement investigations.

Figure 3.. Rooming-in vs Usual Care on Length of Stay

A, Meta-analysis, including 6 studies. B, Sensitivity analysis, including only the before-and-after studies that were not quality improvement investigations.