Morphine and Methadone for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of morphine and methadone on length of hospital stay (LOS) or treatment (LOT) and adverse effects in infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

DESIGN

Systematic review.

SAMPLE: PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane library, CINAHL, IPA, American Academy of Pediatrics, and clinicaltrials.gov were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. comparing morphine and methadone for NAS.

OUTCOMES: LOS, LOT, adverse effects.

RESULTS

One RCT, two cohort studies, and two chart reviews met inclusion criteria. Each had a low risk of bias. LOS ranged from 12.08 to 36 days with morphine and 21 to 44.23 days with methadone. LOT ranged from 7.46 to 22.9 days (morphine) and 13.9 to 38.08 days (methadone). Adverse effects were not reported. Clinical evidence comparing morphine to methadone for NAS treatment is limited and conflicting. A recommendation for one over the other cannot be made based on these outcomes.