Thankfully, as devastating as NOWS can be to infants, it is treatable with both medical and non-medical techniques. Read on for what to know about NOWS, including symptoms, causes, treatments, and coping.
Symptoms of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Every infant who was exposed to opioids during pregnancy will experience withdrawal symptoms a little differently. Factors that may influence an infant’s symptoms include:
Characteristics of the birthing parent’s metabolismThe particular types of opioids used during pregnancy, including whether they were prescription or non-prescriptionThe length that the infant was exposed to the opioidWhat other substances the birthing parent consumed, including other illicit substances and/or nicotine
The symptoms of NOWS are varied and many differ in intensity from one infant from another. The most common symptoms to watch for include:
Irritability and agitation Crying, usually high-pitching screaming Trouble sleeping and settling Hyperthermia (high body temperature) Sweating Diarrhea Nasal congestion and sneezing Tremors Higher muscle tone than most babies Rashes and other skin issues
NOWS may also cause feeding or growth issues in some babies. This is usually addressed with high-calorie feedings and/or shorter, more frequent feeding sessions. In addition to withdrawal symptoms, being exposed to opioids in the womb can cause some immediate and longer-term health effects, such as:
Low birth weightPossible birth defectsSmaller than normal head circumferencePreterm birthCognitive issues throughout lifeDevelopmental issues during childhood
Diagnosis of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
For an infant to be diagnosed with NOWS, the parent must share information about their drug use during pregnancy. Usually, if a healthcare provider suspects NOWS, they will ask the infant’s parent a series of questions about drug use during pregnancy, including what types of drugs were used and with what frequency. There are certain tests that infants may undergo if it’s suspected that they are experiencing NOWS. These may include:
Screening and evaluation of the infant’s urine and bowel movements, and possibly the infant’s umbilical cord Use of an assessment system that gives points to different drug withdrawal symptoms and their intensity Evaluation with a test called ESC (eat, sleep, console)
Causes of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
NOWS happens when infants are exposed to opioids taken by their birthing parent during pregnancy. These drugs can cross the placenta and enter the infant’s bloodstream. The infant becomes dependent on these drugs. When they are born, they are suddenly cut off from the drugs and experience withdrawal symptoms. Opioids represent a category of drugs called narcotics. Some common examples of opioids include:
Codeine Oxycodone Morphine Heroin Meperidine Fentanyl
Some babies may be more prone to the effects of opioid exposure during pregnancy, and more susceptible to withdrawal effects. Genetic and epigenetic factors may make certain infants more vulnerable to the effects of opioid withdrawal.
Treatment for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
There is no one agreed-upon treatment for NOWS. Treatment plans will vary based on an infant’s symptoms, the infant’s overall health, and a parent’s ability to care for their baby. Treatment can last anywhere from 7 days to up to 6 months. Whatever the case, babies diagnosed with NOWS will usually need to stay in the hospital for at least one week after birth.
Medical Treatments
Some symptoms of NOWS can be managed with non-medical care targeted at soothing a baby and calming their symptoms. But some babies may need medication to help them cope, especially if their withdrawal symptoms are interfering with feeding, growth, or if they are having diarrhea. In these cases, babies may be given medication such as morphine. Babies may also be treated with methadone, buprenorphine or clonidine.
Non-Medical Treatments
Most babies can “room in” with their parents, even while experiencing NOWS, and during this time, babies may respond well to soothing techniques that quiet their nervous system and calm them. Different babies will respond to various techniques differently. Some of the most common techniques used include swaddling, dimming the lights, skin-to-skin time, and rocking.
Coping With Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Even after a baby with NOWS is released from the hospital, symptoms may persist, and the baby will likely need ongoing care. Similarly, the baby’s birthing parent will need to be cared for and monitored, so that their opioid use disorder (OUD) is well-managed as they care for their baby. Babies will likely need to visit their pediatrician within a day or two after release from the hospital. After that, regular visits to the pediatrician will be necessary to continue treatment, to check growth and development, and for general health and wellness. Birthing parents will need to make sure that their OUD is being properly treated. This may involve substance abuse counseling, support groups, and taking prescribed medications (such as methadone or buprenorphine). Depending on the laws in each state, local child welfare chapters may need to be contacted, and babies and their parents may need to be monitored for some time. If you are a parent of a baby who is dealing with NOWS, you should know that you are not alone and that help is out there for you. In order to properly care for your baby, and not risk relapsing, it’s vital that you stay in touch with your care team. They are there to support you. Remember: you need to make taking care of yourself a priority in order to be the best parent you can be for your child.
