Oral Feeding Outcomes in Infants Born With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Breastfeeding is the optimal source of nutrition for all infants, but there are limited data on feeding outcomes in infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) who are admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a level II/III NICU. Study sample consisted infants with a diagnosis of NAS and those diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome. The primary outcome was attainment of independent oral feeds, defined as the number of days to transition from full-tube to full oral feeds. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay and method (breast or bottle) of oral feeds at the start, at attainment of independent oral feeds, and at hospital discharge.

Infants with NAS took significantly longer to attain independent oral feeds than controls ( P = .021) and received significantly fewer breastfeeds at the start of oral feeds, at independent oral feeds, and at hospital discharge ( P = .000). There was no difference in length of hospital stay between groups.

These results suggest that infants with NAS can experience difficulties achieving independent oral feeds and are less likely to receive breastfeeds. Additional support is required to enhance oral feeds in infants with NAS in the NICU.