The occasional management of narcotic exposure in neonates.

A of long-acting oxycodone is becoming commonplace in northwestern Ontario. Among the many social and medical problems that arise from this is an increased incidence of use during pregnancy, leading to passive exposure and withdrawal in neonates. There are few Canadian data on the incidence of maternal narcotic abuse or neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Standardization of diagnosis and treatment is still developing in the literature, as are treatment protocols among institutions. This paper will summarize relevant research findings and practical treatment options for rural clinicians.