Word parts
What it means
A group of withdrawal problems in a baby after birth, when the drug the baby was used to in the womb is suddenly gone. It is most often linked to opioids, including prescribed ones such as methadone and buprenorphine. When opioids are the cause, it is also called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Signs usually start within a few days of birth and can include a high-pitched cry, tremors, poor feeding, vomiting, loose stools and trouble sleeping.
For the nurse
Score the baby with the unit's tool, such as Eat, Sleep, Console. Comfort first: a quiet, dim room, swaddling, skin-to-skin holding, small frequent feeds and the parent close by. Medicine may be ordered if comfort care is not enough.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | NAS; NOWS (neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome) |
|---|---|
| Also written | NAS, NOWS, neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome |
Related terms
opioid analgesic
A strong drug that relieves moderate to severe pain by acting on the brain and spinal cord.
withdrawal
The physical and mental symptoms that occur when a person stops or cuts down a substance the body has come to depend on.