Neonatal withdrawal

Neonatal withdrawal refers to a group of problems a newborn experiences when exposed to addictive illegal or prescription drugs while in the mother's womb.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Neonatal withdrawal is a condition that develops in newborns who were exposed to addictive opiate drugs while in the mother's womb. Withdrawal symptoms develop because these drugs are often passed through the placenta to the baby during pregnancy, causing the baby to become addicted along with the mother.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of neonatal withdrawal may vary and can manifest anywhere from 1 to 10 days after birth. The severity and duration of symptoms may depend on the type of drug the mother used, how much of the drug she used, how long she used the drug, and whether the baby was born full-term or premature.

Symptoms may include:

Blotchy skin coloring (mottling)
Diarrhea
Excessive crying or high-pitched crying
Excessive sucking
Fever
Hyperactive reflexes
Increased muscle tone
Irritability
Poor feeding
Rapid breathing
Seizures
Sleep problems
Slow weight gain
Stuffy nose, sneezing
Sweating
Trembling (tremors)
Vomiting

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment depends on the specific drug the baby is withdrawing from. Often, a medication similar to the drug the baby is withdrawing from is given. This medication is then slowly decreased over time to help wean the baby off the drug.

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

With treatment, symptoms of withdrawal usually go away in 1 to 2 weeks. However, some babies may need to be hospitalized for several weeks. With treatment and supportive care, long-term effects are less likely.

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Preventing drug use during pregnancy can prevent neonatal withdrawal. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should seek help to stop drug use.

Neonatal withdrawal Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.