Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Opioid-Exposed versus Nonexposed Mother-Infant Dyads.

Objective: To pilot measurement of hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in pregnant women with opioid use disorder and their infants over time and study the potential utility of hair cortisol as a biomarker of chronic stress in this population.

Study Design: In this pilot prospective cohort study of mother-infant dyads with and without prenatal opioid exposure, we obtained mother-infant HCCs at delivery and again within 1 to 3 months' postpartum. HCCs were compared between the opioid and control groups and between the two time points.

Establishing a neonatology consultation program: extending care beyond the neonatal intensive care unit.

Neonates can be cared for in neonatal, pediatric, or cardiac intensive care units, and general and subspecialty pediatric units. Disposition is based on phase of care, gestational and postnatal age, birth weight, specific cardiac or surgical diagnoses, and co-existing medical morbidities. In addition, neonates may transfer between the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and other units several times throughout their hospitalization.

Drivers of decision-making regarding infant sleep practices among mothers with opioid use disorder.

Objective: To understand the perspectives and perceived facilitators of and barriers to following safe infant sleeping practices among mothers with opioid use disorder (OUD).

Study Design: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, we conducted qualitative interviews with mothers with OUD regarding infant sleep practices. We created codes and generated themes, concluding data collection upon achieving thematic saturation.

Understanding cigarette smoking among mothers with opioid use disorder.

Background: Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent among mothers with opioid use disorder (OUD). Organizations such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommend cessation of cigarettes during the pre- and postnatal periods. Factors that inform decisions to continue or stop smoking cigarettes among pregnant and postpartum mothers with OUD are unclear.

Breastfeeding Decision-Making Among Mothers with Opioid Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study.

Factors that contribute to low initiation and continuation of breastfeeding among mothers with opioid use disorder (OUD) are poorly understood. To understand barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding initiation and continuation beyond the birth hospitalization for mothers with OUD. We conducted 23 in-depth, semistructured interviews with mothers with OUD who cared for their infants at home 1-7 months after birth.

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: A Comparison of As-Needed Pharmacotherapy.

Background And Objective: Methadone and morphine are commonly administered medications for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Infants are increasingly treated with as-needed or "pro re nata" (PRN) medication. The optimal pharmacologic agent for PRN treatment of NOWS has not been examined.

Impact of Coronavirus Disease-2019 on Hospital Care for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome.

Objective: To compare prenatal exposures, hospital care processes, and hospitalization outcomes for opioid-exposed newborns before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Study Design: In this multicenter retrospective analysis, data were collected from 19 Massachusetts hospitals, including 5 academic and 14 community hospitals. The pre-COVID-19 cohort was defined as births occurring during March 1, 2019-February 28, 2020, and the COVID-19 cohort was defined as births occurring during March 1, 2020-December 31, 2020.