HHS announces standard definition for opioid withdrawal in infants

The Department of Health and Human Services yesterday announced a standard clinical definition for opioid withdrawal in infants. Recently published in the Journal of Pediatrics, the definition includes prenatal exposure and at least two of the most common clinical signs of withdrawal (excessive crying, fragmented sleep, tremors, increased muscle tone or gastrointestinal dysfunction). 

“As a pediatrician, I have seen the need for a standard clinical definition for opioid withdrawal in neonates, and am excited to see this step in improving care for infants and their families as part of the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Health ADM Rachel Levine. “I look forward to working across all health sectors to get this definition adopted into clinical practice.”