Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and Corresponding Pharmacotherapy Approaches from 2 University-affiliated Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Puerto Rico (2018-2020).

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a set of drug withdrawal symptoms suffered by neonates exposed to drugs in utero. Several studies have widely described NAS incidence and treatment approach; however, little is known regarding the incidence and manifestations of this disease in Puerto Rico (PR). The principal aim of this study was to describe NAS incidence in the neonatal units of hospitals affiliated with the University of PR in terms of occurrence, clinical manifestations, and treatment approaches. METHODS: Our study evaluated the medical records of NAS babies diagnosed from 2018 through 2020 at 2 hospitals affiliated with the University of PR Medical Sciences Campus. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze trends. RESULTS: We identified 12 neonates diagnosed with NAS, 5 with low birthweights (<2500 g); for a NAS incidence of 2 cases per 1000 admitted for the 3 years of recollected data. The urine toxicology results revealed that 9 had experienced intrauterine polydrug exposure. Phenobarbital loading dose were determined on the day of diagnosis (indicated by Finnegan score). The first manifestation of NAS symptoms varied: 8 neonates showed symptoms within 48 hours after birth, whereas 4 had withdrawal symptoms within 72-120 hours of their births. Differences between dosing practices and guidelines were observed, ranging from a 0.69% to a 25% difference during treatment initiation. CONCLUSION: Further research on the incidence of NAS in PR (national level) is needed for a deeper understanding that we hope will lead to the development of enhanced treatment protocols in PR.

A Dyadic Framework of Care for Opioid-exposed Birthing Persons and Their Infants and Children.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a dyadic-centered framework focused on clinical care, surveillance, and research for birthing persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) and their infants and children. STUDY DESIGN: Between February and March 2023, an analysis was conducted within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of activities directed at opioid-exposed birthing persons and their infants and children (the dyad) to identify: 1) number of activities, stratified by type and 2) characteristics across health and supportive activities that serve the dyad vs birthing persons or infants and children individually. Descriptive and thematic analyses were used to assess quantity and characteristics of fiscal year 2023-2024 activities aggregated across eleven HHS agencies. RESULTS: Of 181 activities examined, 75 met inclusion criteria specific to serving birthing persons with OUD and opioid-exposed infants and children. Sixty-two percent of activities were dyad focused. Five categories of dyadic activities were identified: research (45%), education and training (28%), health and supportive services (21%), surveillance (4%), and quality improvement (2%). Eight specific characteristics were key to dyadic activities: a life course and generational approach, emphasis on relationship, dyadic outcomes, service wraparound, payment structures supporting dyadic care, data linkage, and social determinants of health. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis of HHS activities directed at birthing persons with OUD and opioid-exposed infants and children showed that most programs had a dyadic focus. Synthesizing elements identified from activities serving the dyad facilitated the development of a dyadic framework integrating clinical care, public health surveillance, and research.

Stability Study of a Compounded Sublingual Buprenorphine Solution for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Sublingual (SL) buprenorphine is a cornerstone of care in the treatment of adult opioid use disorder. Recent studies have demonstrated its advantages in the management of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Commercially available SL tablets and transdermal patches are not amenable to neonatal use, and published compounding formulas of SL solutions contained undesirable excipients, including ethanol, sugars, and preservatives. The objective of this research is to explore the stability of a novel SL buprenorphine formulation free of alcohol, sugars, and preservatives. METHODS: A 0.075 mg/mL buprenorphine solution was prepared by diluting the commercial injectable solution with normal saline and packaged into polyethylene terephthalate amber prescription bottles and polypropylene amber oral syringes and stored in refrigeration. Quality assessments were conducted by visual, pH, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis immediately after preparation, and at 7 and 14 days of storage. RESULTS: There were neither visual nor pH changes detected through 14 days. HPLC analysis indicated that all samples retained >99% initial buprenorphine concentration. Drug concentration increased slightly in the oral syringe after day 7, probably due to moisture loss. No degradation peaks were observed in chromatograms. CONCLUSIONS: This novel buprenorphine is free of alcohol, sugar, and preservatives, and it may offer a significant safety advantage for NOWS patients. Additional clinical studies are recommended to verify the bioavailability and efficacy of this formulation.

Severe irritability in a critically ill preterm infant: a case of delirium at the neonatal intensive care unit.

Delirium is a common disorder in intensive care units, being associated with greater morbidity and mortality. However, in neonatal intensive care units, delirium is rarely diagnosed, due to the low familiarity of the neonatologist with the subject and the difficulties in the applicability of diagnostic questionnaires. This case report aimed to assess the presence of this disorder in this group of patients and identify the difficulties encountered in the diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of a premature newborn with necrotizing enterocolitis during hospitalization and underwent three surgical approaches. The newborn exhibited intense irritability, having received high doses of fentanyl, dexmedetomidine, clonidine, ketamine, phenytoin, and methadone, without the control of the symptoms. A diagnosis of delirium was then made and treatment with quetiapine was started, with a complete reversal of the symptoms. This is the first case reported in Brazil and the first describing the withdrawal of the quetiapine.

Delirium é uma síndrome comum em unidades de terapia intensiva, associando-se a maiores morbidade e mortalidade. No entanto, nas unidades de terapia intensiva neonatal, ele raramente é diagnosticado em razão da baixa familiaridade do neonatologista com a suspeita diagnóstica e das dificuldades na aplicabilidade dos questionários diagnósticos. Este relato de caso tem como objetivos mostrar que delirium está presente nesse grupo de pacientes e apontar as dificuldades encontradas no seu diagnóstico e tratamento. Relatamos o caso de um recém-nascido prematuro com enterocolite necrosante, submetido a três abordagens cirúrgicas. O recém-nascido apresentou intensa irritabilidade, tendo recebido altas doses de fentanil, dexmedetomidina, clonidina, cetamina, fenitoína e metadona, sem controle dos sintomas. Em seguida, foi feita a hipótese diagnóstica de delirium e iniciado tratamento com quetiapina, com reversão completa dos sintomas. Este é o primeiro caso notificado no Brasil e o primeiro que descreve a suspensão da quetiapina.

Frecuencia de consumo de drogas adictivas ilícitas en gestantes o puérperas y su detección en recién nacidos en un hospital materno-infantil de Asunción

Introducción: la adicción a sustancias ilícitas constituye un problema de salud pública, del cual no están exentas las embarazadas. Los efectos deletéreos sobre el feto pueden tener consecuencias catastróficas. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de uso de drogas ilícitas en mujeres gestantes y caracterizar a estas mujeres y sus recién nacidos de julio de 2020 a julio de 2021. Material y método: Estudio transversal, descriptivo, observacional con madres con sospecha de uso de drogas y sus recién nacidos (RN). Se buscó asociación entre variables estudiadas. Se utilizó escala de Finnegan para síndrome de abstinencia neonatal (SAN) y se determinó presencia de drogas en orina. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 107 binomios madres -hijos. Prevalencia de madres adictas de 11,42%. Edad promedio de madres 24,5 años y 29,9% en situación calle. 70% fueron partos vaginales, 90,5% con APGAR de 7-10. 26,1% fueron RN prematuros. RCIU 34,5%, PEG 35,5%. 93,3% mujeres se autorreportó como consumidora, 57,9% tuvo control prenatal nulo. 56% de gestantes presentó signos evidentes de ser consumidora de drogas ilícitas al ingreso. La droga más consumida fue la cocaína (COC) 85%. Detección de cocaína en RN fue 81,3%. SAN en 24,2% RN. Se encontró Cocaína en la orina de 18/26 de los pacientes con SAN, y en 64/77 de los pacientes sin síndrome de abstinencia. Tuvo Lues el 25,9%. Se encontró asociación de SAN con la presencia de COC en el RN. Conclusiones: el consumo de drogas en la embarazada expone al RN a drogas deletéreas, siendo la droga más frecuentemente consumida la COC. La prevalencia de SAN fue baja, encontrándose asociación entre esta entidad y la presencia de COC en RN.

Introduction: Addiction to illicit substances constitutes a public health problem, from which pregnant women are not exempt. The deleterious effects on the fetus can have catastrophic consequences. Objective: To determine the frequency of illicit drug use in pregnant women and to characterize these women and their newborns during the time period from July 2020 to July 2021. Materials and methods: this was a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study with mothers suspected of drug use and their newborns (NBs). An association was sought between the studied variables. The Finnegan scale for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) was used and the presence of drugs in urine was determined. Results: 107 mother-child pairs were included. The prevalence of addicted mothers was 11.42%. Average age of mothers was 24.5 years and 29.9% were living on the street. 70% were vaginal deliveries, 90.5% with an APGAR score of 7-10. 26.1% were premature newborns. IUGR 34.5%, SGA 35.5%. 93.3% women self-reported as drug consumers, 57.9% had zero prenatal control. 56% of pregnant women presented obvious signs of being an illicit drug user upon admission. The most consumed drug was cocaine (COC), 85%. Detection of cocaine in newborns was 81.3%. NAS was diagnosed in 24.2% NB. Cocaine was found in the urine of 18/26 of the patients with NAS, and in 64/77 of the patients without withdrawal syndrome. 25.9% had Lues. An association of NAS with the presence of COC in the newborn was found. Conclusions: drug use in pregnant women exposes the newborn to deleterious drugs, COC being the most frequently used drug. The prevalence of NAS was low, although we found an association between NAS and the presence of COC in newborns.

Severe irritability in a critically ill preterm infant: a case of delirium at the neonatal intensive care unit / Grave irritabilidade em prematuro criticamente doente: um caso de delirium na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal

ABSTRACT Delirium is a common disorder in intensive care units, being associated with greater morbidity and mortality. However, in neonatal intensive care units, delirium is rarely diagnosed, due to the low familiarity of the neonatologist with the subject and the difficulties in the applicability of diagnostic questionnaires. This case report aimed to assess the presence of this disorder in this group of patients and identify the difficulties encountered in the diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of a premature newborn with necrotizing enterocolitis during hospitalization and underwent three surgical approaches. The newborn exhibited intense irritability, having received high doses of fentanyl, dexmedetomidine, clonidine, ketamine, phenytoin, and methadone, without the control of the symptoms. A diagnosis of delirium was then made and treatment with quetiapine was started, with a complete reversal of the symptoms. This is the first case reported in Brazil and the first describing the withdrawal of the quetiapine.

RESUMO Delirium é uma síndrome comum em unidades de terapia intensiva, associando-se a maiores morbidade e mortalidade. No entanto, nas unidades de terapia intensiva neonatal, ele raramente é diagnosticado em razão da baixa familiaridade do neonatologista com a suspeita diagnóstica e das dificuldades na aplicabilidade dos questionários diagnósticos. Este relato de caso tem como objetivos mostrar que delirium está presente nesse grupo de pacientes e apontar as dificuldades encontradas no seu diagnóstico e tratamento. Relatamos o caso de um recém-nascido prematuro com enterocolite necrosante, submetido a três abordagens cirúrgicas. O recém-nascido apresentou intensa irritabilidade, tendo recebido altas doses de fentanil, dexmedetomidina, clonidina, cetamina, fenitoína e metadona, sem controle dos sintomas. Em seguida, foi feita a hipótese diagnóstica de delirium e iniciado tratamento com quetiapina, com reversão completa dos sintomas. Este é o primeiro caso notificado no Brasil e o primeiro que descreve a suspensão da quetiapina.

Impact of Coronavirus Disease-2019 on Hospital Care for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare prenatal exposures, hospital care processes, and hospitalization outcomes for opioid-exposed newborns before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: In this multicenter retrospective analysis, data were collected from 19 Massachusetts hospitals, including 5 academic and 14 community hospitals. The pre-COVID-19 cohort was defined as births occurring during March 1, 2019-February 28, 2020, and the COVID-19 cohort was defined as births occurring during March 1, 2020-December 31, 2020. Opioid-exposed newborns born at ≥35 weeks of gestation were included. Differences in prenatal substance exposures, hospital care processes, and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) outcomes, including pharmacologic treatment for NOWS (PharmTx), length of stay (LOS), and as-needed (prn) treatment failure rates, were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 663 opioid-exposed newborns in the pre-COVID-19 group and 476 in the COVID-19 group. No between-group differences were seen in prenatal substance exposures or the need for PharmTx. Compared with the pre-COVID-19 group, in the COVID-19 group there was less rooming-in after maternal discharge (53.8% vs 63.0%; P = .001) and less care in the pediatric unit setting (23.5% vs 25.3%; P = .001), longer LOS (adjusted risk ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08), and a higher rate of breast milk receipt at discharge (aOR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.22-3.39). Within the subset of academic centers, more infants failed prn treatment in the COVID-19 group (53.8% vs 26.5%, P = .02; aOR, 3.77; 95% CI, 0.98-14.5). CONCLUSIONS: Among the hospitals in our collaborative, hospital processes for NOWS, including care setting, rooming-in, and LOS were negatively impacted in the COVID-19 group, particularly in academic medical centers.

Standardizing the Clinical Definition of Opioid Withdrawal in the Neonate.

OBJECTIVE: To standardize the clinical definition of opioid withdrawal in neonates to address challenges in clinical care, quality improvement, research, and public policy for this patient population. STUDY DESIGN: Between October and December 2020, we conducted 2 modified-Delphi panels using ExpertLens, a virtual platform for performing iterative expert engagement panels. Twenty clinical experts specializing in care for the substance-exposed mother-neonate dyad explored the necessity of key evidence-based clinical elements in defining opioid withdrawal in the neonate leading to a diagnosis of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)/neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Expert consensus was assessed using descriptive statistics, the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method, and thematic analysis of participants' comments. RESULTS: Expert panels concluded the following were required for diagnosis: in utero exposure (known by history, not necessarily by toxicology testing) to opioids with or without the presence of other psychotropic substances, and the presence of at least two of the most common clinical signs characteristic of withdrawal (excessive crying, fragmented sleep, tremors, increased muscle tone, gastrointestinal dysfunction). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that both a known history of in utero opioid exposure and a distinct set of withdrawal signs are necessary to standardize a definition of neonatal withdrawal. Implementation of a standardized definition requires both patient engagement and a mother-neonate dyadic approach mindful of program and policy implications.

Impact of Plans of Safe Care on Prenatally Substance Exposed Infants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of recent federal statute changes mandating child welfare-based Plan of Safe Care (POSC) supportive programming and community-based linkages to treatment providers, resources, and services for families of infants affected by prenatal substance exposure (IPSE). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of Delaware's statewide child welfare case registry data for IPSE birth notifications and subsequent hotline reports for serious physical injury/fatality concerns from November 1, 2018-October 31, 2020. Abstracted variables included IPSE sex, substance exposure type, family characteristics (maternal personal child welfare history or mental health diagnosis, treatment engagement), and POSC referrals. RESULTS: Of 1436 IPSE, 1347 (93.8%) had POSC support. Most IPSE (67.2%) had exposure to single substance types prenatally. Nearly 90% avoided out-of-home placement. Nearly one-fourth of mothers delivered a prior IPSE; 40% of mothers had personal histories of childhood protective services involvement. Also, 43.5% of mothers and 9.1% of fathers were referred to community-based resources, including substance use, mental health treatment, parenting classes, and home visiting nursing. Nearly 58% of IPSE were referred for pediatric/developmental assessment. Notably, 0.82% (11 out of 1347) of IPSE with POSC sustained serious physical or fatal injury. CONCLUSIONS: POSC promote supportive, potentially protective linkages to community-based programming for IPSE and their families.

Lactente em abstinência de cocaína, relato de caso / Neonatal abstinence from cocaine, a case report

Objetivo: descrever o caso de um lactente exposto à cocaína e as repercussões clínicas da sua ingestão por meio do leite materno. Relato do caso: lactente, com um mês e três dias de vida e peso de 3.920g vem à emergência, por quadro de hipoatividade, rebaixamento de sensório, choro e sangramento nasal. Afebril, irritada, chorosa, sem sinais de esforço ventilatório ou sangramentos ativos. Exames mostraram leucocitose 13490/uL, acidose metabólica discreta, aumento de transglutaminase oxalacética e provas de coagulação alargadas. Demais exames laboratoriais sem alterações e culturas negativas. Screening toxicológico revelou cocaína no plasma da lactente. O Centro de Informações Toxicológicas, recomendou monitorização e suporte clínico. A paciente recebeu alta da unidade de terapia intensiva para enfermaria cinco dias após admissão, com melhora do sensório, seguindo acompanhamento com a equipes especializadas. Conclusão: o pronto reconhecimento da síndrome de abstinência neonatal permite o melhor manejo da mesma em benefício dos pacientes. O diagnóstico diferencial com quadro séptico pode ser de grande importância em quadros como este.

Objective: describing a case of an infant exposed to cocaine through breast milk and its clinical repercussions. Case report: infant, one month and three days old, weighing 3,920g, came to the emergency room due to hypoactivity, sensory impairment and nose bleeding. Afebrile, irritated, tearful, no signs of ventilatory effort or active bleeding. Tests showed leukocytosis 13490/uL, mild metabolic acidosis, increased serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and enlarged coagulation tests. Other laboratory tests were normal. Toxicological screening revealed cocaine in the infant's plasma. Toxicological Information Center, recommended monitorization, and clinical support. The patient was discharged from the intensive care unit to the ward five days after admission, with sensorium improvement and a follow-up with specialized teams. Conclusions: prompt recognition of the neonatal abstinence syndrome allows for better management of it and high chances of recovery for patients. The differential diagnosis with septic condition can be of great importance in conditions like this one.

Estimating the impact of neonatal abstinence system interventions on Medicaid: an incremental cost analysis.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) incidence has significantly increased in the US in recent years. It is therefore important to develop effective intervention protocols that mitigate the long-term consequences of this condition for the mother, her child, and the community. METHODS: We used Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the impact of four interventions for NAS and their combinations on pregnant women with opioid use disorder. The key outputs were changes in incremental costs from baseline from the Medicaid perspective and from a total systems perspective and effect size changes. Simulation parameters and costs were based on the literature and baseline model validation was performed using Medicaid claims for Indiana. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, the resulting simulation estimates showed that three interventions significantly decreased Medicaid incremental costs by 8% (mandatory opioid testing (MOT)), 4% (patient navigators), and 3% (peer recovery coaches). The combination of the three interventions reduced Medicaid direct costs by 26%. Reductions were similar for total system incremental costs (ranging from 2 to 24%), though MOT was found to increase costs of overdose death based on productivity loss. NAS case reductions ranged from 1% (capacity change) to 13% (MOT). CONCLUSIONS: Using systems-based modeling, we showed that costs associated with NAS can be significantly reduced. However, effective implementation would require the involvement and coordination of several stakeholders. In addition, careful protocols for MOT should be considered to ensure pregnant women don't forgo prenatal care for fear of punitive consequences.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Severity Index Predicts 18-Month Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Neonates Randomized to Morphine or Methadone.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an index to determine which opioid-exposed neonates have the most severe neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). STUDY DESIGN: Full-term neonates with NAS (n = 116) from mothers maintained on methadone or buprenorphine were enrolled from 8 sites into a randomized clinical trial of morphine vs methadone. Ninety-nine (85%) were evaluated at hospital discharge using the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS). At 18 months, 83 of 99 (83.8%) were evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III), and 77 of 99 (77.7%) were evaluated with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). RESULTS: Cluster analysis was used to define high (n = 21) and low (n = 77) NAS severity. Compared with infants in the low NAS severity cluster, infants in the high NAS severity cluster had a longer length of stay (P < .001), longer length of stay due to NAS (P < .001), longer duration of treatment due to NAS (P < .001), and higher total dose of the study drug (P < .001) and were more likely to have received phenobarbital (P < .001), to have been treated with morphine (P = .020), and to have an atypical NNNS profile (P = .005). The 2 groups did not differ in terms of maximum Finnegan score. At 18 months, in unadjusted analyses, compared with the high-severity cluster, the low-severity cluster had higher scores on the Bayley-III Cognitive (P = .013), Language (P < .001), and Motor (P = .041) composites and less total behavior problems on the CBCL (P = .028). In adjusted analyses, the difference in the Bayley-III Language composite remained (P = .013). CONCLUSIONS: Presumptive measures of NAS severity can be aggregated to develop an index that predicts developmental outcomes at age 18 months.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Neonates Randomized to Morphine or Methadone for Treatment of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of pharmacologic treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome on neurodevelopmental outcome from a randomized, controlled trial. STUDY DESIGN: Eight sites enrolled 116 full-term newborn infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome born to mothers maintained on methadone or buprenorphine into a randomized trial of morphine vs methadone. Ninety-nine infants (85%) were evaluated at hospital discharge using the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale. At 18 months, 83 of 99 infants (83.8%) were evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition and 77 of 99 (77.7%) with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). RESULTS: Primary analyses showed no significant differences between treatment groups on the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition, or CBCL. However in post hoc analyses, we found differences by atypical NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale profile on the CBCL. Infants receiving adjunctive phenobarbital had lower Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition scores and more behavior problems on the CBCL. In adjusted analyses, internalizing and total behavior problems were associated with use of phenobarbital (P = .03; P = .04), maternal psychological distress (measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory) (both P < .01), and infant medical problems (both P = .02). Externalizing problems were associated with maternal psychological distress (P < .01) and continued maternal substance use (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Infants treated with either morphine or methadone had similar short-term and longer term neurobehavioral outcomes. Neurodevelopmental outcome may be related to the need for phenobarbital, overall health of the infant, and postnatal caregiving environment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01958476.

Outpatient Pharmacotherapy for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in lengths of stay, length of therapy, emergency department (ED) utilization, and hospital readmissions between infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) treated exclusively with inpatient pharmacotherapy compared with those discharged on outpatient pharmacotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study of infants enrolled in the Tennessee Medicaid program used administrative and vital records data from 2009 to 2011. Medical record review was used to confirm cases of NAS and classify treatment type. Negative binomial regression was used to compare length of therapy and ordinal regression was used to determine frequency of ED visits and hospital readmissions. RESULTS: Among a cohort of 736 patients with confirmed NAS, 72.3% were treated with pharmacotherapy of which approximately one-half (45.5%) were discharged home on outpatient medications. For infants discharged on outpatient pharmacotherapy, initial hospital length of stay was shorter (11 vs 23 days; P < .001) and length of therapy was longer (60 vs 19 days; adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 2.84, 95%CI 2.31-3.52). After adjusting for potential confounders, infants discharged on outpatient pharmacotherapy had a greater number of ED visits within 6 months of discharge (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.52, 95% CI 1.06-2.17) compared with those treated as inpatients alone. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient pharmacotherapy for NAS was associated with higher length of therapy and higher rates of ED utilization when compared with infants treated exclusively as inpatients. Future research should focus on improving the efficiency of NAS management while minimizing postdischarge complications.

The Role of Preterm Birth in the Association Between Opioid Maintenance Therapy and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women treated with methadone as opioid maintenance therapy are more likely than women treated with buprenorphine to deliver preterm. Preterm birth is associated with less risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). We sought to assess the role of preterm birth as a mediator of the relationship between in utero exposure to methadone and NAS compared with buprenorphine. METHODS: We studied 716 women receiving methadone or buprenorphine and delivering liveborn infants at Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2013-15). We implemented inverse probability weighted marginal structural models to isolate the role of preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestation). Weights accounted for confounding by maternal age, race, insurance, parity, delivery year, marital, employment, hepatitis C, and smoking status. RESULTS: Approximately 57% of the cohort were treated with methadone. Preterm birth was more common in methadone-exposed pregnancies (25% versus 14%). The incidence of NAS treatment was higher in methadone compared with buprenorphine-exposed infants (65% vs 49%), and term compared with preterm births (64% vs 36%). For every 100 infants liveborn to mothers treated for opioid dependence, there were 13 excess cases of NAS among infants exposed to methadone compared with buprenorphine (adjusted risk difference [RD] 13.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.7, 20.9). Among term births, this increased to 17 excess cases of NAS in methadone- compared with buprenorphine-exposed (RD 16.7, 95% CI 9.3, 24.0). CONCLUSION: The further increased risk of NAS associated with methadone use vs buprenorphine in term deliveries emphasises the utility of buprenorphine in clinical settings aimed at decreasing NAS.

Síndrome de abstinencia neonatal debido a exposición prenatal al citalopram: a propósito de un caso / Neonatal abstinence syndrome due to prenatally citalopram exposure: A case report

El síndrome de abstinencia neonatal (SAN) debido a la exposición prenatal al citalopram se desarrolla durante los primeros días de vida, incluso con una exposición al fármaco en dosis bajas. El tratamiento de apoyo es la primera opción, aunque puede usarse el fenobarbital en el tratamiento de este síndrome. No debe interrumpirse la lactancia. Debe hacerse un seguimiento de estos recién nacidos para establecer el desenlace del SAN y las consecuencias en el desarrollo neurológico. En este artículo presentamos el caso de un recién nacido con SAN debido a exposición al citalopram en una dosis más baja que lo informado previamente en la bibliografía durante los últimos seis meses del embarazo. Se utilizó el fenobarbital debido al fracaso del tratamiento no farmacológico.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to prenatally exposure to citalopram can develop during the first days of life even with low dose of drug exposure. Supportive management is the first choice but phenobarbital can be used in treatment of this syndrome. Breastfeeding should not be interrupted. These neonates should be followed both for NAS and neurodevelopmental outcome. In this article, we reported a newborn with NAS due to citalopram exposure with a lower dose than previously reported in the literature, during the last six months of pregnancy. Phenobarbital was used because of non-pharmacological treatment failure.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome due to prenatally citalopram exposure: A case report. / Síndrome de abstinencia neonatal debido a exposición prenatal al citalopram: a propósito de un caso.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to prenatally exposure to citalopram can develop during the first days of life even with low dose of drug exposure. Supportive management is the first choice but phenobarbital can be used in treatment of this syndrome. Breastfeeding should not be interrupted. These neonates should be followed both for NAS and neurodevelopmental outcome. In this article, we reported a newborn with NAS due to citalopram exposure with a lower dose than previously reported in the literature, during the last six months of pregnancy. Phenobarbital was used because of non-pharmacological treatment failure.

El síndrome de abstinencia neonatal (SAN) debido a la exposición prenatal al citalopram se desarrolla durante los primeros días de vida, incluso con una exposición al fármaco en dosis bajas. El tratamiento de apoyo es la primera opción, aunque puede usarse el fenobarbital en el tratamiento de este síndrome. No debe interrumpirse la lactancia. Debe hacerse un seguimiento de estos recién nacidos para establecer el desenlace del SAN y las consecuencias en el desarrollo neurológico. En este artículo presentamos el caso de un recién nacido con SAN debido a exposición al citalopram en una dosis más baja que lo informado previamente en la bibliografía durante los últimos seis meses del embarazo. Se utilizó el fenobarbital debido al fracaso del tratamiento no farmacológico.

Revisión narrativa. Complicaciones en la madre, feto y neonato, derivadas del consumo de cocaína durante la gestación / Narrative review. Complications in the mother, fetus, and neonate due to cocaine use during pregnancy / Revisão narrativa. Complicações na mãe, feto e neonato, derivadas do consumo de cocaína durante a gestação

Latinoamérica reporta en las gestantes un consumo de alcohol del 44%, cigarrillo 51.8%, anfetaminas 8.3%, cocaína 2.5% y marihuana 2%. Las gestantes consumidoras representan un problema para las instituciones prestadoras de salud que exige intervenciones intersectoriales e interdisciplinarias por las consecuencias físicas, psicológicas, familiares y sociales que conlleva para la madre, el neonato y el infante. En esta revisión se describen las complicaciones físicas y conductuales en la madre, el feto y el neonato, que surgen por el consumo de cocaína y sus derivados durante la gestación. Se realizó una revisión narrativa a partir de la búsqueda de información científica indexada en las bases de datos Pubmed, Lilacs, Ovid, Science Direct entre el 2000 y el 2015, se utilizaron palabras clave con el fin de realizar una búsqueda estandarizada de información y se incluyeron artículos como productos de investigaciones, revisiones sistemáticas, metaanálisis. Las gestantes consumidoras de cocaína entrañan un factor de riesgo para la salud pública, con consecuencias físicas, psicológicas, familiares, sociales para la madre, el neonato y el infante, tales como hipertensión gestacional, desprendimiento de placenta, retardo del crecimiento intrauterino y síndrome de abstinencia neonatal. Es necesario que los profesionales de salud, las instituciones hospitalarias y Secretarías locales de salud elaboren, adapten y adopten algún protocolo de notificación, manejo y seguimiento a las madres consumidoras y de sus hijos para promover hábitos saludables, prevención de complicaciones obstétricas, neonatales y seguimiento de repercusiones en el desarrollo y crecimiento de los hijos.

Latin America reported the following data regarding substance abuse in pregnant women: 44% alcohol, 51.8% tobacco, 8.3% amphetamines, 2.5% cocaine and 2% cannabis. Pregnant women using these substances are a risk factor for health institutions due to the physical, psychological, social, and family consequences for the mother and the newborn infant. Thus, intersectoral and interdisciplinary interventions are necessary to treat this problem. This review describes the physical and behavioral complications in the mother, fetus, and neonate as a result of the use of cocaine and its derivatives during pregnancy. A narrative review was performed by means of a search of journals indexed in PubMed, Lilacs, Ovid, Science Direct from 2000 to 2015. Keywords were used in order to perform a standardized literature search, and data from research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses were included. Pregnant consumers of cocaine involve a risk factor for public health due to the physical, psychological, family, and social consequences for the mother, the newborn, and infant, such as high blood pressure, abruption, intrauterine growth retardation, and neonatal abstinence syndrome. It is necessary for local health departments to develop, adopt, and adapt reporting, management, and monitoring protocols for consuming mothers and their children in order to promote healthy habits, prevention of obstetrics and neonatal complications and to monitor the impact on growth and development in children.

Latino-américa reporta nas gestantes um consumo de álcool de 44%, cigarro 51.8%, anfetaminas 8.3%, cocaína 2.5% e maconha 2%. As gestantes consumidoras representam um problema para as instituições prestadoras de saúde que exige intervenções inter-setoriais e interdisciplinares pelas consequências físicas, psicológicas, familiares e sociais que implica para a mãe, o neonato e o infante. Nesta revisão se descrevem as complicações físicas e de condutas na mãe, o feto e o neonato, que surgem pelo consumo de cocaína e seus derivados durante a gestação. Se realizou uma revisão narrativa a partir da busca de informação científica indexada nas bases de dados Pubmed, Lilacs, Ovid, Science Direct entre 2000 e 2015, se utilizaram palavras chave com o fim de realizar uma busca padrão de informação e se incluíram artigos como produtos de investigações, revisões sistemáticas, meta-análise. As gestantes consumidoras de cocaína entranham um fator de risco para a saúde pública, com consequências físicas, psicológicas, familiares, sociais para a mãe, o neonato e o infante, tais como hipertensão gestacional, desprendimento de placenta, retardo do crescimento intrauterino e síndrome de abstinência neonatal. É necessário que os profissionais de saúde, as instituições hospitalares e Secretarias locais de saúde elaborem, adaptem e adotem algum protocolo de notificação, manejo e seguimento às mães consumidoras e de seus filhos para promover hábitos saudáveis, prevenção de complicações obstétricas, neonatais e seguimento de repercussões no desenvolvimento e crescimento dos filhos.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome: Pharmacologic strategies for the mother and infant.

Opioid use in pregnancy has increased dramatically over the past decade. Since prenatal opioid use is associated with numerous obstetrical and neonatal complications, this now has become a major public health problem. In particular, in utero opioid exposure can result in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) which is a serious condition characterized by central nervous system hyperirritability and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The present review seeks to define current practices regarding the approach to the pregnant mother and neonate with prenatal opiate exposure. Although the cornerstone of prenatal management of opioid dependence is opioid maintenance therapy, the ideal agent has yet to be definitively established. Pharmacologic management of NAS is also highly variable and may include an opioid, barbiturate, and/or α-agonist. Genetic factors appear to be associated with the incidence and severity of NAS. Establishing pharmacogenetic risk factors for the development of NAS has the potential for creating opportunities for "personalized genomic medicine" and novel, individualized therapeutic interventions.

Neonatal repercussions of exposure to crack during pregnancy / Repercussões neonatais decorrentes da exposição ao crack durante a gestação / Repercusiones neonatales de la exposición al crack durante el embarazo

OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to identify neonatal repercussions of exposure to crack during pregnancy, according to the clinical practices of the doctors and nurses and to analyze these patients’ care protocols. METHODS: this was a descriptive study with a quali-quantitative approach, conducted using interviews. RESULTS: there was found to be no care protocol and that the majority of newborns were small for their gestational age, premature and with abnormal reflexes, among other complications. CONCLUSION: the results of this study are similar to those described in the literature and reinforce the need for holistic strategies for approaches and interventions for this population.

OBJETIVO: o objetivo neste estudo foi identificar as repercussões neonatais decorrentes da exposição ao crack durante a gestação, segundo a prática clínica dos médicos e enfermeiras e analisar o protocolo de atendimento a esses pacientes. MÉTODOS: trata-se de estudo do tipo descritivo com abordagem qualiquantitativa, realizada por meio de entrevistas. RESULTADOS: verificou-se que não existe protocolo de atendimento e que a maioria dos neonatos é pequena para a idade gestacional, prematura, e apresenta reflexos anormais dentre outras complicações. CONCLUSÃO: os resultados encontrados neste estudo assemelham-se aos descritos na literatura e reforçam a necessidade de estratégias holísticas de abordagem e intervenção nessa população.

OBJETIVO: el objetivo en este estudio fue identificar las repercusiones neonatales de la exposición al crack durante el embarazo, según la práctica clínica de los médicos y enfermeras y analizar el protocolo de atención a esos pacientes. MÉTODOS: se trata de estudio del tipo descriptivo con aproximación cuali-cuantitativa, desarrollado mediante entrevistas. RESULTADOS: fue verificado que no existe protocolo de atención y que la mayoría de los neonatos es pequeña para la edad gestacional, prematura, y presenta reflejos anormales entre otras complicaciones. CONCLUSIÓN: los resultados encontrados en este estudio son semejantes a aquellos descritos en la literatura y refuerzan la necesidad de estrategias holísticas de aproximación e intervención en esa población.