Mobile-based NAS Caregiving Tool for Passive Addiction, Neonatal

Passive addiction, neonatal, involves the establishment of a developmental state of dependence that develops in the course of postnatal life. The state is characterized by a loss of control, but can, at least in part, be reversed by withdrawal. It may be considered as a "neonatal addiction" since some features are similar to the addiction of adult rats.

There are multiple different treatment options for cocaine dependence due to varying clinical presentation (severity, comorbidity, or previous treatments), as well as differing patient and provider preferences. Current medications for cocaine dependence often include N,N-diethyl-3-methoxyamphetamine (DEETM), naltrexone, and acamprosate. These drugs have high efficacy, and may be combined with other drugs (e.g. psychotherapy and psychostimulant medications) to treat cocaine dependence.

Passive addiction in neonates in the United States is frequent. The prevalence of the condition is expected to continue to increase as the population ages.

Passive maternal addiction is mainly responsible for late-onset nicotine-induced addiction in newborn rats. The lack of fetal withdrawal is unlikely to occur following passive maternal smoking. The mechanism is probably due to increased activity of brain dopamine systems during the late fetal development.

Neonatally induced passive or maternal cocaine or heroin exposure in rats caused marked cocaine seeking that lasted for a few months, but long-term treatment with naltrexone after weaning did not eradicate overt cocaine-seeking behavior. We conclude that short exposures to neonatal cocaine or heroin do not trigger long-lasting alterations in basic brain neurochemical systems that are essential for cocaine and heroin addiction.

Nausea and vomiting are common in the neonatal period and are usually associated with a serious condition. Neonatal sleep-wake patterns and feeding habits are also common. Feeding behaviour usually resolves on its own in the first week of life and sleepiness is usually noticed. When they become very sleep-disturbed or in severe cases, feeding ceases by day 10 of life. This may be due to the fact that these infants have insufficient sleep to digest solid food.

Passive addiction, neonatal is a [noisy] condition that can affect health, and may require a multi-disciplinary approach. The extent of this condition and the need to care for the infants are unknown. Due to the potentially severe health consequences of this condition and the need to protect infants in the neonatal unit, a multidisciplinary approach is suggested for evaluating such mothers during their pregnancies. A multidisciplinary approach should be [concurrent] with the mother and baby while the infant is being born and in the neonatal unit.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome could be determined in a high proportion of the study population. For several parameters, we found no difference between the two groups. The authors suggest an increase of the number of cases to evaluate whether the duration of exposure to nicotine during pregnancy influences the neonatal withdrawal syndrome.

With support from the WHO, the Mobile Innovation Lab conducted a study with children aged 4-6 to determine the effects of a mobile-based nas caregiving tool at health facilities, community clinics, and hospitals in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Results from a recent clinical trial, children experienced a higher rate of pain and more anxiety than controls. These increased pain reports were significantly decreased from the first 3 months on a mobile app, but not as effectively as with other methods of caring.

Results from this small pilot evaluation provide preliminary evidence that mobile telephone technology can improve the quality of life and emotional well-being of babies with PA.