Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2019

Abstract

In 2017, West Virginia’s opioid epidemic was the cause of about 1000 deaths. Opioid abuse has become an issue among pregnant mothers and has increased the effects of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the participation of prenatal opioid maintenance to determine if it has decreased the amount of treatment needed for NAS in infants in West Virginia. The methodology utilized a literature review complemented with a semi-structured interview. Thirty-six sources were referenced for this literature review. It was found that Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy had the most positive effect on NAS after birth. This review also reported a lack of availability for addicted pregnant women to enroll in maintenance programs and a high drop-out rate. Opioid maintenance therapy has permitted pregnant women to refrain from illicit drug use without experiencing withdrawal symptoms and it has allowed the opportunity for their infants to have better health after birth.

Comments

This is the final peer-reviewed manuscript submission. The published version of record is at https://doi.org/10.1097/HCM.0000000000000268. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health. All rights reserved.

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