Neonatal abstinence syndrome

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a withdrawal syndrome of infants, caused by administration of drugs. There are two types of NAS, prenatal and postnatal. Prenatal NAS is caused by substance abuse by the mother, while postnatal NAS is caused by discontinuation of drugs directly to the infant.

The drugs involved are e.g. opioids, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), alcoholic beverages and benzodiazepines.

Clinical presentation
The syndrome is characterized by irritability, excessive loud crying, tremors a voracious appetite but with no weight gain.

Consequences
Evidence indicates that the condition can lead to reduced attention span and hyperactivity later in childhood.