Pharmacologic management of neonatal abstinence syndrome

Substance abuse among pregnant women has become a national health issue. As a result of the increase in maternal consumption of illicit drugs during pregnancy, many more infants are experiencing signs and symptoms of withdrawal during the immediate newborn period. In many instances, pharmacologic management is required to alleviate the signs and symptoms of withdrawal experienced by these infants. The article provides a review of the common drugs of abuse consumed by women during pregnancy, identifies the common signs and symptoms of infant withdrawal, describes the onset and duration of these symptoms, and discusses potential pharmacologic agents that can be used to treat infant withdrawal or neonatal abstinence syndrome.