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Updated: May 22, 2025
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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
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Neonatal Neurobehavior Predicts Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome Severity Prior to Treatment Interventions
Sarah E Maylott1, Madeleine Bruce1, Lydia Brown2
1Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC.
The Journal of Pediatrics
|March 13, 2025
Summary
Early neurobehavioral assessments using the NeoNatal Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS-II) can predict neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) severity. This helps improve care for opioid-exposed newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) requires standardized assessment tools.
- Improving the quality and consistency of care for opioid-exposed newborns is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To utilize the NeoNatal Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS-II) for NOWS treatment guidance.
- To enhance the consistency and quality of care for newborns exposed to opioids.
Main Methods:
- Examined NOWS severity using medication data and observational scores to create a composite severity score.
- Assessed the predictive value of the NNNS-II at 24 hours for NOWS severity.
Main Results:
- Newborn neurobehavioral status before NOWS onset predicted withdrawal severity.
- Increased hypertonicity and poorer movement quality correlated with higher NOWS severity scores.
Conclusions:
- Early newborn neurobehavioral assessment using the NNNS-II can enhance NOWS risk detection.
- The NNNS-II shows promise as a tool for guiding NOWS treatment.
