Which treatment method is frequently used for managing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)?

The choice of morphine as a treatment method for managing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is based on its effectiveness in alleviating withdrawal symptoms in affected infants. NAS occurs when a newborn is exposed to certain substances, such as opioids, during pregnancy, leading to a range of withdrawal symptoms after birth. These can include irritability, feeding difficulties, restlessness, and gastrointestinal issues.

Morphine, as an opioid, can help to stabilize the newborn by reducing the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms. It acts on the same receptors in the brain that the drugs the mother used would affect, providing a controlled and medically supervised means of easing withdrawal discomfort. This is crucial since uncontrolled withdrawal can lead to significant stress for the infant, impacting their overall health and development.

Other treatment options, while important in their own contexts, do not directly address the symptoms of NAS. For instance, antibiotics are used to treat infections but do not have a role in managing withdrawal. Oxygen therapy is focused on supporting breathing in infants with respiratory issues but is not specifically aimed at NAS. Pulse oximetry is a monitoring tool used to assess oxygen saturation levels in the blood and does not treat the condition itself. Thus, morphine is the appropriate treatment for effectively managing the withdrawal