Which newborns need monitoring for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS)? Utilization and accuracy of methods to assess pregnancy opioid use

• DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2023.2261054
• Publication Date: 2023-09-25T10:29:13Z
• Authors: Beth A. Bailey; Alyson Chroust; Darshan Shah; Nathaniel Justice; David Wood

ABSTRACTBackground A challenge in addressing neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) is knowing who has been exposed and needs monitoring for withdrawal. Women do not always get asked about or disclose use, biologic testing neither universal nor infallible. We investigate the prevalence effectiveness of methods identifying prenatal exposure.Methods review medical charts at five delivery hospitals identified newborns with known exposure (i.e., NOWS diagnosis) study inclusion.Results Over 95% mothers had 1+ urine drug screening (UDS) during pregnancy, 38% UDS delivery, 94% documentation self-report inquiry, 81% meconium and/or cord tissue. Pregnancy detected use 17% sample, 32%. prenatally/at 85%. Cord tissue was positive 78%, 61%, infant 15%. 96% were on variable.Conclusions With only when indicated, almost all pregnancies included inquiry use/exposure. Reliance any one assessment method may miss newborns, but consideration information identify most if needing NOWS.KEYWORDS: Neonatal (NOWS)newborn detectioncord Disclosure statementNo potential conflict interest reported by author(s).Additional informationFundingThis research supported, part, a grant from Johnson City, TN Junior League, in- kind support East Tennessee State University Departments Pediatrics Family Medicine, ETSU Addiction Science Center, Ballad Health System Offices Research Information Technology.