Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2025

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and Corresponding Pharmacotherapy Approaches from 2 University-affiliated Neonatal
Pamela Morales1, Laura Santiago2, Jessica Rosario3
1School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Objective:
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a set of drug withdrawal symptoms suffered by neonates exposed to drugs in utero. Several studies have widely described NAS incidence and treatment approach; however, little is known regarding the incidence and manifestations of this disease in Puerto Rico (PR). The principal aim of this study was to describe NAS incidence in the neonatal units of hospitals affiliated with the University of PR in terms of occurrence, clinical manifestations, and treatment approaches.
Methods:
Our study evaluated the medical records of NAS babies diagnosed from 2018 through 2020 at 2 hospitals affiliated with the University of PR Medical Sciences Campus. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze trends.
Results:
We identified 12 neonates diagnosed with NAS, 5 with low birthweights (<2500 g); for a NAS incidence of 2 cases per 1000 admitted for the 3 years of recollected data. The urine toxicology results revealed that 9 had experienced intrauterine polydrug exposure. Phenobarbital loading dose were determined on the day of diagnosis (indicated by Finnegan score). The first manifestation of NAS symptoms varied: 8 neonates showed symptoms within 48 hours after birth, whereas 4 had withdrawal symptoms within 72-120 hours of their births. Differences between dosing practices and guidelines were observed, ranging from a 0.69% to a 25% difference during treatment initiation.
Conclusion:
Further research on the incidence of NAS in PR (national level) is needed for a deeper understanding that we hope will lead to the development of enhanced treatment protocols in PR.
More Related Videos
05:13Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
Published on: February 28, 2025
09:29Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dependence
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines