Developmental Outcomes of Children Born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS): A Scoping Review

Abstract

Aims

The purpose of this scoping review is to provide an overview of developmental outcomes of children diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework was used to guide this scoping review. A comprehensive search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO was conducted using search terms related to NAS and developmental areas. Full-text screening was completed for 30 articles, and eight studies were included in this review.

Results

Cognitive and language development, as well as school performance, social and motor domains, may be areas of concern in children with NAS.

Conclusions

The developmental outcomes of infants with NAS cannot be firmly determined due to inconsistent results across reviewed studies. Future research investigating development across various ages is required for rending more appropriate intervention services to this high-risk population.

Keywords:

• Birth defects
• developmental delay
• early intervention
• high-risk newborn
• infant development
• neonatal withdrawal syndrome

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. All authors have contributed equally to this study.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor change. This change do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sandra Fucile

Sandra Fucile is an Assitant Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's university.

Haley Gallant

Anjali Patel and Haley Gallant are both Occupational Therapist.

Anjali Patel

Anjali Patel and Haley Gallant are both Occupational Therapist.