Purpose:

A guideline for the initiation and escalation of pharmacologic treatment for NAS when conservative measures have been insufficient.  The guideline provides initial morphine dosages as well as a stepwise escalation of dosing until symptoms are captured.  

It also includes recommendations for initiating adjuvant treatment with phenobarbital or clonidine for severe cases.

It  was developed with evidence-based principles, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and individualized and family-centered approaches to caring for the neonate.

Population:

Infants with opiate exposure and symptoms of NAS