Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: An Update
▻https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5843557
Purpose of review
This review provides an update focused on the evolving epidemiology of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), factors influencing disease expression, advances in clinical assessment of withdrawal, novel approaches to treat NAS, and the emerging role of quality improvement work in the field of NAS.
The rise in the incidence of NAS disproportionately occurred in rural and suburban areas. Polysubstance exposure and genetic polymorphisms modified NAS expression and severity. Several centers have explored the use of new bedside assessments, focused on fewer factors to identify infants with NAS, that resulted in a decreased proportion of infants receiving pharmacotherapy for NAS. In addition, buprenorphine was shown to be a promising therapeutic alternative to morphine for treatment of NAS. Lastly, local, state and national quality improvement initiatives aimed to improve outcomes for infants with NAS emerged as an effective manner to advance the care of infants with NAS.
NAS remains a critical public health issue associated with significant medical, economic and personal burden. Emerging data on drivers of disease, assessment of withdrawal and treatment for NAS provide clinicians and hospitals with new knowledge and an urgency to promote standardization of care for infants with NAS.