Abstract
Objective
To evaluate outcomes in opioid exposed neonates (OENs) assessed by the Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) tool compared to the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (FNASS).
Methods
Retrospective analysis of a statewide database of OENs from 2017 to 2020 with birthing hospitals classified based on the assessment tool used. Four main outcomes were examined using multivariable and Poisson logistic regression models.
Results
Of 2375 OENs, 42.1% received pharmacotherapy (PT) with a consistent decrease in PT, length of treatment (LOT), and length of stay (LOS) over the study period. There was no change in use of mother’s own milk (MoM). While outcomes were significantly associated with several specific variables, there were no differences in outcomes between assessment methods.
Conclusion
While there was a significant decrease over time in PT, LOT, and LOS, improvements were independent of the assessment tool used and likely related to the increased use of non-pharmacologic care.
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Data availability
The dataset used for this study is not publicly available as it contains some identifiable information, but is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of their subjects, and their subjects’ families, as well as those of their colleagues. PNQIN Perinatal Opioid Project Collaborating Hospitals: Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, USA; Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield, MA, USA; Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, MA, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Beverly Hospital, Beverly, MA, USA; Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Brockton Hospital, Brockton, MA, USA; Cape Cod Hospital, Hyannis, MA, USA; Cooley-Dickenson Hospital, Northampton, MA, USA; Lowell General Hospital, Lowell, MA, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; MelroseWakefield Hospital, Melrose MA, USA; Mercy Medical Center, Springfield, MA, USA; Southcoast Health, Wareham, MA, USA; South Shore Hospital, South Weymouth, MA, USA; Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA, USA.
Funding
This work has been supported by programmatic funding from Health Policy Commission of Massachusetts.
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RS and JD drafted the original manuscript and conceived and designed the study, contributed to data acquisition and analysis, and drafted the manuscript. PM contributed to data analysis; critically reviewed and revised the manuscript for intellectual content. EW, RR, DS, JM, MVV and MG contributed to data acquisition and analysis; critically reviewed and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
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Singh, R., Melvin, P., Wachman, E.M. et al. Short term outcomes of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome: a comparison of two approaches. J Perinatol 44, 1137–1145 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-024-01953-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-024-01953-z