Lactose-free infant formula does not change outcomes of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS): a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To determine if lactose-free formula, compared to lactose-containing formula, decreases the cumulative morphine dose required to treat neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

Study Design: In a double-blind clinical trial, we randomized 74 infants (36-42 weeks gestation) at risk for developing NAS due to in-utero exposure to opioids to receive either lactose-free (Similac Sensitive®) or lactose-containing (Similac Advance®) infant formula. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative dose of morphine used for the treatment of NAS during the first 14 days of life.