Relationship Between Methadone, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

Abstract

Objective: To compare incidence and severity of neo- natal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in neonates exposed to methadone and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with neonates ex- posed to methadone alone.

Study design: Retro- spective cohort study of women on methadone main- tenance with live births be- tween January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2009, at a tertiary care hospital. Data were abstracted from electronic medical records, exclud- ing cases of multiple gestations and lack of neonatal abstinence score documentation. Data analysis included Mann-Whitney U, Fisher's exact test, a receiver operat- ing characteristic curve, and a scatter diagram.

Results: A total of 91 cases comprised our study population, with 85 (93.4%) assigned to the methadone- only group and 6 (6.6%) assigned to the methadone and SSRIs group. NAS incidence was not significantly different between the methadone/SSRI group and the methadone group (5/6 [83.3%] vs. 43/85 [50.6%], p=0.21). However, severity of NAS (median 14.0 vs. 10.0, p=0.04) and neonatal intensive care unit stay were significantly higher and longer in the methadone/ SSRI group.

Conclusion: While currently neonates exposed to SSRIs are not screened for NAS, health care providers may need to pay closer attention to the effects of SSRIs on neonates.