Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Review of Epidemiology, Care Models, and Current Understanding of Outcomes

Abstract

The incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome owing to prenatal opioid exposure has grown rapidly in recent decades and it disproportionately affects rural, non-white, and public insurance-dependent populations. Treatment consists of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions with wide variability in approaches across the United States. Standardizing clinical assessment, minimizing unnecessary interruptions, and prioritizing nonpharmacologic and family-centered care seems to improve hospital outcomes. Neonatal abstinence syndrome may have long-term developmental and biological effects, but understanding is limited owing in part confounding biosocial factors. Early intervention and longitudinal support of the infant and family promote better outcomes.

Keywords: Developmental outcomes; Eat sleep console (ESC); Length of stay (LOS); Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS); Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS); Opioid exposed newborn (OEN); Pharmacotherapy; Prenatal substance exposure.