J Perinatol. 2025 Oct 9. doi: 10.1038/s41372-025-02442-7. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate associations between antenatal exposure to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including MOUD type, and neonatal outcomes for infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).
STUDY DESIGN: Data from 768 neonates with NOWS born between 36-0/7 to 41-6/7 weeks gestation were retrospectively collected from 13 United States hospitals.
RESULTS: Compared to neonates with antenatal exposure to non-MOUD opioids, neonates with antenatal exposure to MOUD opioids had a 51% lower odds of delivery before 39 weeks and 2.72-fold greater odds of breastfeeding. Compared to neonates with antenatal exposure to prescribed methadone, neonates exposed to prescribed buprenorphine or buprenorphine/naloxone had increased mean head circumference z-scores (0.31 and 0.48 units respectively), decreased odds of pharmacologic treatment (49% and 58%, respectively), and a reduced mean length of hospital stay (35% and 39%, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Antenatal exposure to MOUD opioids, specifically prescribed buprenorphine, was associated with significantly improved neonatal outcomes.
GOV ID: INFORM NOW: N/A.
PMID:41068332 | DOI:10.1038/s41372-025-02442-7
