Measurement of neonatal abstinence syndrome: Evaluation of short forms.

OBJECTIVES

1) How well do the short forms previously developed from the Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER) neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) scale (MNS) discriminate between neonates untreated and treated for NAS? (2) Can a short form be developed that is superior to other short forms in discriminating between the two groups?

DESIGN/

PARTICIPANTS

This secondary analysis study used data from 131 delivered neonates in the MOTHER study, a randomized controlled trial comparing neonatal and maternal outcomes in opioid-dependent pregnant women administered buprenorphine or methadone.

SETTING

Comprehensive care was provided at seven university hospitals.

OUTCOME MEASURES: A 19-item instrument measuring neonatal abstinence signs.

RESULTS

A five-item index proved superior to the previous indices (ps < 0.01) and discriminated between the treated and untreated NAS groups as well as did the MNS total score (p=0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

A short form developed from the MNS shows promise as a possible screening measure.