Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

86.2K

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: An Update on Developmental Outcomes

Kristen L Benninger1, Jennifer M McAllister2, Stephanie L Merhar2

  • 1Center for Perinatal Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, WB 5203, Columbus, OH 43215, USA.

Clinics in Perinatology
|March 3, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Children exposed to opioids before birth typically develop normally but may face behavioral issues and lower cognitive, language, and motor scores. The direct causal link between prenatal opioid exposure and these developmental outcomes remains unclear.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Prenatal opioid exposure is a growing concern with potential impacts on child development.
  • Existing research indicates a potential association between prenatal opioid exposure and developmental challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the developmental and behavioral outcomes in children with prenatal opioid exposure.
  • To explore the potential risks associated with prenatal opioid exposure on cognitive, language, and motor development.

Main Methods:

  • This study reviews existing literature on the developmental trajectories of infants and children with prenatal opioid exposure.
  • Comparative analysis of cognitive, language, and motor assessment scores between exposed and unexposed children.

Main Results:

  • Children with prenatal opioid exposure generally exhibit normal development.
  • However, these children show increased risk for behavioral problems and lower scores in cognitive, language, and motor assessments compared to unexposed peers.

Conclusions:

  • While prenatal opioid exposure may be linked to developmental and behavioral concerns, the causal relationship requires further investigation.
  • Confounding factors may influence the observed outcomes, necessitating more research to establish causality.

Keywords:
Developmental outcomesNeonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS)NeurodevelopmentOpioid

More Related Videos

A Preterm Rat Model for Pain Studies01:37

A Preterm Rat Model for Pain Studies

Published on: February 9, 2024

459
Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes05:13

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Published on: February 28, 2025

305

Related Concept Videos

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
366
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
705
Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2,...
1.3K
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners01:20

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
316
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
108
Drug Dependence01:17

Drug Dependence

Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
1.1K