Innovative Research Offers Hope for Newborns with Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

The ongoing opioid epidemic has led to a significant rise in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), a condition affecting infants born to mothers who used opioids during pregnancy. Over the past two decades, the number of affected newborns in the United States has increased fivefold, with approximately 20,000 babies diagnosed annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These infants often face prolonged hospital stays and may require medications such as morphine to manage withdrawal symptoms.

Recent research from Thomas Jefferson University presents promising developments aimed at alleviating symptoms in these vulnerable newborns. Led by Dr. Walter Kraft, the study explores the use of ondansetron, a medication widely used to treat nausea and considered safe during pregnancy, as a potential treatment to reduce withdrawal severity in infants with NOWS. This investigation builds on earlier studies, including a clinical trial involving 90 infants, which found that ondansetron significantly lessened withdrawal symptoms.

The current study, spearheaded by first author Kevin Lam, PharmD, employs Bayesian population pharmacokinetic modeling—a sophisticated mathematical approach to understand how different patients process drugs. This technique helps identify the optimal ondansetron concentration needed for effective symptom relief and can simulate ideal dosing strategies.

Dr. Kraft emphasizes the importance of precise dosing over traditional methods, stating, In the past, dosing decisions relied on intuition, but now we can use mathematical models to find effective doses with fewer patients involved. The team aims to secure funding for future clinical trials to assess whether ondansetron can not only diminish symptoms but also reduce hospital stays for affected infants.

While acknowledging the complexity of addressing NOWS, Dr. Kraft remains optimistic about ondansetron's potential as part of a multifaceted approach to improve outcomes for these infants.

This research represents a significant step toward better management of neonatal withdrawal symptoms and offers hope for healthier futures for affected babies.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-babies-born-opioid-syndrome.html