Table 1 Pharmacological agents used in the management of neonatal abstinence syndrome following in utero opioid or polydrug exposure
1st line opiate withdrawal2nd line opiate withdrawal
Morphine sulphate182 (92.0%)None required77 (39.0%)
Phenobarbitone7 (3.5%)Phenobarbitone47 (23.7%)
Chloral hydrate5 (2.5%)Chloral hydrate31 (15.7%)
Methadone3 (1.5%)Chlorpromazine23 (11.6%)
Diazepam1 (0.5%)Morphine sulphate11 (5.5%)
Benzodiazepine6 (3.0%)
Methadone3 (1.5%)
1st line polydrug exposure2nd line polydrug exposure
Morphine sulphate137 (69.0%)None required50 (25.3%)
Phenobarbitone28 (14.0%)Phenobarbitone37 (18.7%)
Chloral hydrate9 (4.5%)Chloral hydrate23 (11.6%)
Methadone4 (2.0%)Chlorpromazine18 (9.1%)
Chlorpromazine3 (1.5%)Benzodiazepines7 (3.5%)
Diazepam2 (1.0%)Unanswered49 (24.7%)
Variable15 (8.0%)