Neonatal abstinence syndrome hospitalizations in Canada: a descriptive study

Thumbnail image

Download files

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-022-00726-5

Language of the publication
English
Date
2023-04
Type
Article
Author(s)
  • Plouffe, Rebecca
  • Grywacheski, Vera
  • Luo, Wei
  • Nelson, Chantal
  • Orpana, Heather
Publisher
Springer

Abstract

Objective The objective of this paper is to describe the trend of newborn hospitalizations with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in Canada, between 2010 and 2020, and to examine severity indicators for these hospitalizations. Methods National hospitalization data (excluding Quebec) from the Canadian Institute for Health Information’s Discharge Abstract Database, from January 2010 to March 2021, and Statistics Canada’s Vital Statistics Birth Database were used. Analyses were performed to examine NAS hospitalizations by year and quarter, and by severity indicators of length of stay, Special Care Unit admission and status upon discharge. Severity indicators were further stratified by gestational age at birth. Results An increasing number and rate of NAS hospitalizations in Canada between 2010 (n = 1013, 3.5 per 1000 live births) and 2020 (n = 1755, 6.3 per 1000 live births) were identified. A seasonal pattern was observed, where rates of NAS were lowest from April to June and highest from October to March. Mean length of stay in acute inpatient care was approximately 15 days and 71% of NAS hospitalizations were admitted to the Special Care Unit. Hospitalizations for pre-term births with NAS had longer durations and greater rates of Special Care Unit admissions compared to term births with NAS. Conclusion The number and rate of NAS hospitalizations in Canada increased during the study, and some infants required a significant amount of specialized healthcare. Additional research is required to determine what supports and education for pregnant people can reduce the incidence of NAS hospitalizations.

Subject

  • Health

Keywords

  • Neonatal abstinence syndrome,
  • Opioids,
  • Canada,
  • Neonatal withdrawal,
  • Pregnancy,
  • Maternal substance use

Rights

Pagination

277–286

Peer review

Yes

Article

Journal title
Canadian Journal of Public Health
Journal volume
114
Journal issue
2

Citation(s)

Plouffe R, Grywacheski V, Luo W, Nelson C, Orpana H. Neonatal abstinence syndrome hospitalizations in Canada: a descriptive study. Can J Public Health. 2023 Apr;114(2):277-286. doi: 10.17269/s41997-022-00726-5

Download(s)

URI

Collection(s)

Health promotion

Full item page

Full item page

Page details

Date modified: