Abstract

Opioids and other psychotropic substances used by the mother during her pregnancy variously affect foetal development and the expression of the clinical picture of withdrawal after birth. The newborn with the neonatal abstinence syndrome is unable to regulate his internal environment with his external environment and develops appropriate neurological-behavioural responses. Non–pharmacological care improves neurological- behavioural responses hence it should be the standard of care of all neonates with a clinical picture of withdrawal of opioids and other psychotropic substances.

Key words: neonatal abstinence syndrome, non-pharmacological care.