The Effect of breastfeeding on the neonatal abstinence scores of infants born to mothers on a methadone maintenance program : an epidemiological study

Abstract

The objective of this research study is to determine the effects that breastfeeding has on methadone exposed infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), born at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Methadone has been idenfified as the optimal treatment for pregnant women who are addicted to opiates. However, intrauterine exposure to drugs, including methadone, may lead to neonatal intoxication or withdrawal, also known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).