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Neurobehavioral effects of treatment for opiate withdrawal

M G Coyle1, A Ferguson, L Lagasse

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Brown Medical School, Women & Infants Hospital, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02905-2401, USA. coylem@southcoast.org

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|December 23, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Adding phenobarbital to diluted tincture of opium (DTO) treatment significantly improved neurobehavioral scores in opiate-exposed infants. This dual treatment enhanced infant interaction, movement, and stress levels during early recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
  • Neurobehavioral Development
  • Pharmacological Interventions

Background:

  • Infants exposed to opiates in utero often experience Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).
  • Current treatments for NAS, such as diluted tincture of opium (DTO), aim to manage withdrawal symptoms.
  • The potential benefits of adjunctive therapies to DTO for improving infant neurobehavior require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of combined diluted tincture of opium (DTO) and phenobarbital therapy.
  • To compare neurobehavioral outcomes in opiate-exposed infants receiving dual treatment versus DTO alone.
  • To determine if combined therapy accelerates recovery from neonatal opiate withdrawal.

Main Methods:

  • A partially randomized controlled trial was conducted.
  • Infants were assigned to receive either DTO alone or DTO in combination with phenobarbital.
  • Neurobehavioral assessments were performed during the initial three weeks of life.

Main Results:

  • Infants receiving DTO and phenobarbital (n=17) demonstrated significantly better neurobehavioral scores compared to those receiving DTO alone (n=15).
  • The dual-treatment group exhibited increased interactivity, smoother motor function, and reduced stress.
  • These improvements suggest enhanced neurobehavioral organization in the first three weeks post-birth.

Conclusions:

  • Combined DTO and phenobarbital therapy improves neurobehavioral organization in opiate-exposed infants.
  • This dual treatment approach may facilitate a more rapid recovery from neonatal opiate withdrawal.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and optimize treatment protocols for NAS.

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