ReviewHealth science reports2026
Therapeutic Update in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmacological Treatments and the ESC Assessment Model. A Systematic Review.
Review in Health science reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
The number of newborns with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome is alarming, due to the increase in maternal opioid use. Despite the critical health and socio-economic impact, a precise clinical and therapeutic approach for opioid using infants and mothers remains undefined. Aim: The main objective is to update the therapeutic approach and the role of nursing in neonates with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome due to mothers who use opioids. Design: We conducted a systematic review, as a meta-analysis was not feasible due to heterogeneity across study designs and outcomes, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook. Methods: Studies related to the update of the therapeutic approach and the role of nursing in a newborn with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome were considered. Single patient case studies, studies of psychoactive substances other than opium derivatives, iatrogenic treatment approach, guidelines, consensus and meeting abstracts were excluded. The databases Scopus, Dialnet, Cinahl and PubMed were searched. Results: The results of the 28 publications included indicated the need for a major update of both treatment, diagnostic scales and treatment in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Conclusions: Clonidine and buprenorphine demonstrated superior safety profiles and shorter treatment duration compared to morphine in controlling NOWS symptoms. The ESC functional assessment model, integrated with non-pharmacological interventions, proved superior to traditional Finnegan scoring, significantly reducing pharmacotherapy requirements, total morphine exposure, hospital length of stay, and healthcare costs whilst enhancing breastfeeding rates and parental involvement. Nursing-led holistic care, encompassing skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding support, rooming-in, and environmental control, is essential and irreplaceable in comprehensive NOWS management.
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