Opioid use in pregnant women and the increase in neonatal abstinence syndrome: what is the cost?

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the length of stay for observation and treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), as well as the hospital costs associated with the medical care of affected newborns.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. Data were collected for newborns diagnosed with NAS, including their hospital length of stay and the associated hospital charges, from December 1, 2008, to November 30, 2011.

RESULTS

One hundred-sixty eligible newborns were included in the study. During the 3-year study period, hospital charges related to the diagnosis and treatment of NAS increased from $1.1 million per year to $1.8 million per year. Compared with the cost of caring for newborns without the risk of NAS, an additional $4.1 million was spent in the medical care of these newborns.

CONCLUSIONS

The costs associated with treating newborns with NAS are exponentially higher than the costs associated with newborns not affected with NAS. The societal costs associated with treatment of newborns with NAS, as well as infant symptomatology experienced with NAS, can be reduced by encouraging physicians to be proactive in screening for drug use, urging women who use chronic opioids to actively engage in family planning and contraception, and encouraging pregnant women who use opioids to seek substance treatment.