Neonatal abstinence syndrome in a newborn delivered by an opioid-dependent mother using methadone substitution therapy during pregnancy
, 2, 3
Abstract
Introduction. Psychoactive substances as opioids used by women during pregnancy can have a negative
impact on the health of a newborn child.
Case report. Based on a case report of a newborn delivered by an opioid-dependent mother, this article
describes the therapeutic decision-making that occurred in caring for this patient. This included outlining
the form of substitution therapy selected and the use of Finnegan’s scoring system to assess the degree
of abstinence syndrome in the newborn.
Conclusion. There is a need to monitor drug-dependent women and their children from the early stages
of pregnancy through to birth to ensure positive health outcomes for both the mother and the newborn.
Keywords: opioiddependencemethadone maintenance treatmentneonatal abstinence syndrome
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