neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
Last reviewed 01/2023
- infants born to heroin-dependent or methadone-dependent mothers have a
high incidence of neonatal abstinence reaction (also less potent opioids have
also been identified as causing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS))
- possible clinical features of NAS are non-specific and include tremor, unrest, tachypnoea, hypertonicity, vomiting,abnormal crying, yawning, sneezing, diarrhoea, fever, poor feeding - in very severe cases of NAS convulsions may occur
- onset
of clinical NAS symptoms depends on which opioids the pregnant opioid-dependent
woman received or consumed
- for example
- heroin, the withdrawal syndrome in the neonate occurs during the first 24 h
- with methadone NAS does not develop until after 48 h
- for example
- effectiveness
and safety of opiate treatment in newborn infants has been published recently
in Cochrane Review (2)
- opiates are concluded as preferred initial therapy for NAS, especially for infants of mothers using opioids during pregnancy
Reference:
- (1) Ebner N et al. Management of neonatal abstinence syndrome in neonates born to opioid maintained women Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2007;87(2-3);16: 131-138.
- (2) Osborn A et al. Opiate treatment for opiate withdrawal in newborn infants (Review).Cochrane Library 2005, Issue 2.