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Neonatal abstinence syndrome—postnatal ward versus neonatal unit management

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Abstract

Aim

The aim of this cohort study was to test the hypothesis that caring for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) with their mothers on the postnatal ward rather than admit them to the neonatal unit would reduce treatment duration and length of hospital stay.

Results

The outcomes of infants with NAS cared for in 2002–2005 (Group A, n = 42) and 2006–2007 (Group B, n = 18) were compared. Group A infants were admitted to the neonatal unit for assessment and treatment as necessary, but Group B infants remained on the postnatal ward with their mother. Sixty infants (median gestational age 39, range 26–42 weeks) were included in the study. The proportion of infants in Group B compared to Group A requiring treatment for NAS was lower (45% versus 11%, p = 0.012) and the durations of treatment (mean 12.7 versus 7.3 days, p = 0.05) and hospital stay (mean 19.8 versus 15.9 days, p = 0.012) were shorter in Group B. No infant in either group was readmitted within the next 2 months.

Conclusions

These results suggest caring for infants with NAS on the postnatal ward rather than the neonatal unit reduces the need for treatment and duration of hospital stay.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Mrs Deirdre Gibbons for secretarial assistance.

Conflict of interest statement

None to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King’s College London, MRC, Asthma Centre, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK

    Tolulope Saiki, Silke Lee, Simon Hannam & Anne Greenough

  2. Newborn Unit, King’s College Hospital, 4th Floor Golden Jubilee Wing, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK

    Anne Greenough

Authors
  1. Tolulope Saiki
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  2. Silke Lee
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  3. Simon Hannam
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  4. Anne Greenough
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anne Greenough.

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Saiki, T., Lee, S., Hannam, S. et al. Neonatal abstinence syndrome—postnatal ward versus neonatal unit management. Eur J Pediatr 169, 95–98 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-009-0994-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-009-0994-0

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