Opioid Use and Abuse and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 779-780
Author(s):  
C. Lindsay DeVane
Keyword(s):  
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Opioid Use

Clinical Opinion Letters Regarding Breastfeeding and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome for Child Apprehension Family Court Proceedings

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-353
Author(s):  
Martha Jane Paynter
Keyword(s):  
Replacement Therapy ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Family Court ◽  
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Best Interest ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
Opioid Replacement Therapy

The accelerating reach of opioid use disorder in North America includes increasing prevalence among pregnant people. In Canada, the rate of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) rose 27% between 2012–2013 and 2016–2017, and it is estimated that 0.51% of all infants now experience NAS after delivery. Pregnant people are a priority population for access to opioid replacement therapy programs. Participation in such programs demonstrates significant commitment to self-care among pregnant people and concern for fetal and infant wellbeing. Participation in opioid replacement therapy often results in family surveillance by Child Protection Services and infant apprehension. Children of Indigenous descent are held in foster care at high and disproportionate rates.The Convention on the Rights of the Child principle of Best Interests of the Child governs family law and child access decisions. The value of breastfeeding for all children and in particular for children recovering from NAS can be a consideration in the Best Interest of the Child. Clinicians with expertise in lactation may support the breastfeeding dyad to remain together by preparing Clinical Opinion Letters for the court. This Insights into Policy presents a how-to description of the content of clinical opinion letters in such cases, including context and process considerations, client background, breastfeeding science, and factors specific to neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Opioid Use in Pregnant Women and the Increase in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 222-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay Roussos-Ross ◽  
Gary Reisfield ◽  
Iain Elliot ◽  
Susan Dalton ◽  
Mark Gold
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Opioid Use

A retrospective, observational study on medication for opioid use disorder during pregnancy and risk for neonatal abstinence syndrome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayesha Sujan ◽  
Emma Cleary ◽  
Edie Douglas ◽  
Rubin Aujla ◽  
Lisa Boyars ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Additional Benefit ◽  
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Relative Safety ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Exposure During Pregnancy

Abstract Objectives The prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant women is increasing. Research consistently demonstrates the efficacy of medications for OUD (MOUD); however, researchers have called for additional studies evaluating the safety of MOUD during pregnancy, particularly the relative safety of two commonly used MOUD medications—methadone and buprenorphine. This study aimed to evaluate the consequences of MOUD exposure during pregnancy on risk for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Methods In a clinical sample of infants born to women with OUD, we evaluated the risk of NAS among those exposed to (i) methadone and (ii) buprenorphine compared with those unexposed to MOUD, as well as the risk of NAS among those exposed to (i) methadone compared with those exposed to (ii) buprenorphine. Results Compared with buprenorphine-exposed infants (n = 37), methadone-exposed infants (n = 27) were at increased risk for NAS (odds ratio [OR] = 4.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 21.17). Compared with unexposed infants (n = 43), buprenorphine-exposed infants were at decreased risk for NAS (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.14, 1.39) and methadone-exposed infants were at increased risk for NAS (OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 0.79, 8.76), though these associations were not statistically significant. Conclusions Our study suggests that when methadone and buprenorphine are equally appropriate options for the treatment of OUD in pregnant women, buprenorphine may add the additional benefit of reduced risk of newborn NAS.

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