The neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is characterized by a pattern of signs resulting from the cessation of maternal transfer of certain xenobiotics. Manifestations are driven primarily by opioids, though other exposures such as benzodiazepines can worsen the severity of symptoms. Cardinal manifestations of opioid withdrawal reside primarily in autonomic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and neurologic domains. On the basis of use in the MOTHER trial and other randomized controlled trials, the MOTHER NAS scale represents the de facto standard tool for scoring NAS severity. This instrument is quite long (28 items, 19 contributing to the total score) and potentially redundant, but it is considered the ?gold standard? for neonatal physicians treating NAS. The overall goal of this research is to develop a shorter scoring instrument that would be in a high agreement with the ?gold standard? MOTHER NAS scale for the purpose of clinical decision-making.

Public Health Relevance

The consequence of the opioid epidemic among young adults is the rising incidence of newborns experiencing withdrawal syndrome due to opioid use and misuse during pregnancy. The incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is increasingly important public health problem. This project will develop more efficient methods of scoring NAS symptoms for the purpose of clinical decision-making.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03HD098476-02
Application #
9932468
Study Section
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Initial Review Group (CHHD)
Program Officer
Bremer, Andrew
Project Start
2019-05-20
Project End
2021-04-30
Budget Start
2020-05-01
Budget End
2021-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Thomas Jefferson University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
053284659
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19107