Chervoneva et al reported an abbreviated version of the MOTHER Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. This is easy to administer and follow. The authors are from Thomas Jefferson University and Nemours DuPont.
Patient selection: neonate with possible neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
Parameters:
(1) crying
(2) sleeping after feeding
(3) tremors, undisturbed
(4) increased muscle tone
(5) fever °C
(6) tachypnea
(7) poor feeding
(8) vomiting or regurgitation
(9) loose stools
Parameter
Finding
Points
crying
excessive high-pitched
2
continuous high-pitched
3
sleeping
< 1 hour after feeding
3
< 2 hours after feeding
2
< 3 hours after feeding
1
other
0
tremors undisturbed
none
0
hands or feet only, up to 3 seconds
1
arms or legs, over 3 seconds
2
increased muscle tone
absent
0
difficult to straighten arm and head lag present
1
unable to straighten arm and head lag absent
2
fever
> 37.3°C
1
<= 37.3°C
0
tachypnea
> 60 breaths per minute
2
<= 60 breaths per minute
0
poor feeding
takes > 20 minutes, uncoordinated, takes small volume, frequent stops to breath
2
absent
0
vomiting/regurgitation
vomits whole feeds or >= 2 times per feed when not burping
2
absent
0
loose stools
half liquid and half stool with or without water rings
2
absent
0
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 19
• A score >= 7 has a sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.95.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
