Pharmacologic Treatment and Length of Hospitalization for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in an Open Bay Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Using Novel Non-Pharmacologic Interventions

Abstract

Abstract Objective Evaluate effectiveness of a novel horizontal rocking bassinet for the management of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Study Design: Prospective cohort study of infants ≥ 35 weeks admitted to an open bay neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for NAS. Three patient subsets analyzed: controls/Group 1, structured non-pharmacologic interventions (NPI)/Group 2, and structured NPI including the novel bassinet/Group 3. Results Group 3 had significant increases in length of stay (LOS) compared to Group 1 (p = 0.006) and Group 2 (p = 0.013). Group 3 had significantly higher length of treatment (LOT) than Group 1 (p = .041). Group 3 had significantly higher total mg/kg morphine exposure than Group 1 (p = .006). Conclusion The novel bassinet was not effective as a NPI based on LOS, LOT, and total mg/kg morphine exposure for NAS patients in this study. Further research is needed before novel bassinets are adopted for routine NAS care.