Pomar et al reported a simplified version of the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System. This can help to identify a neonate with the neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). The authors are from the University of Kentucky, College on Problems of Drug Dependence (Philadelphia), and the University of Louisville.
Patient selection: neonate
Parameters:
(1) cry
(2) tremors
(3) increased muscle tone
(4) sleep
(5) nasal stuffiness
(6) respiratory rate in breaths per minute
(7) excessive sucking
(8) poor feeding
(9) feed tolerance
(10) stools
Parameter
Finding
Points
cry
no
0
excessive continuous
2
tremors
none
0
if undisturbed
5
if disturbed
1
increased muscle tone
no
0
yes
2
sleep
< 1 hour
3
1 to < 3 hours
1
>= 3 hours
0
nasal stuffiness
no
0
yes
1
respiratory rate
<= 60 breaths per minute
0
> 60 breaths per minute
1
excessive sucking
no
0
yes
1
poor feeding
no
0
yes
2
feed intolerance
regurgitation or projectile vomiting
2
no
0
stools
loose or watery
2
formed
0
total score =
= SUM(points for all 10 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 21
• A cutoff >= 6 had a sensitivity of 0.86 and specificity of 0.873 for neonatal abstinence.
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