Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

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

Incidence of Faltering Growth in Infants With Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome

Polina Frolova Gregory1,2, Joshua Parlaman1,2, Matthew Test1,2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.

Hospital Pediatrics
|May 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) did not show increased faltering growth in the first 4 months. Further research is needed to identify NOWS infants at risk for growth issues.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Pediatric growth studies
  • Opioid use disorder in pregnancy

Background:

  • Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) is associated with significant infant weight loss during hospitalization.
  • Post-discharge growth patterns in infants with NOWS require further investigation.
  • Understanding growth trajectories is crucial for managing infants with NOWS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence of faltering growth in infants with NOWS during the first four months of life.
  • To compare growth patterns between infants with and without NOWS after hospital discharge.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective matched cohort analysis using electronic health records (2016-2019).
  • Inclusion of infants with and without NOWS, matched for gestational age, sex, and birthweight.
  • Primary outcome: faltering growth, assessed via logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • 176 infants with NOWS and 498 nonexposed infants were analyzed.
  • 12% of infants with NOWS developed faltering growth within the first four months.
  • The odds ratio for faltering growth in NOWS infants was 1.14 (95% CI 0.65, 1.92).

Conclusions:

  • No increased incidence of faltering growth was observed in infants with NOWS during the first four months.
  • Further research is necessary to pinpoint specific risk factors for faltering growth in this population.
  • Identifying at-risk infants can guide targeted interventions and support.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling07:11

Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling

Published on: February 5, 2019

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development15:27

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development

Published on: July 13, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
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...
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors01:24

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...