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

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

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

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

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

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.

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