Increasing incidence of the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in U.S. Neonatal ICUs

This article examined the incidence, health care utilisation and changes in infant and maternal clinical characteristics of neonates with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome which most commonly occurs after in utero exposure to opioids. From 2004 through 2013, the rate of ICU admissions for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome  increased from 7 cases per 1000 admissions to 27 cases per 1000 admissions. The median length of stay has also increased from 13 days to 19 days.