Feeding in infants born substance exposed: A sensory-based, family-centered approach

Isbell, C. (2022) Feeding in infants born substance exposed: A sensory-based, family-centered approach SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 7(4).

With the rise in polysubstance use, including prescription and non-prescription opioid use during pregnancy, the rate of infants born substance exposed has risen (Alinsky & Alexander, 2021). Newborns who have experienced this type of substance exposure in utero can develop Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS). NAS and NOWS are characterized by withdrawal symptoms in infants who have been prenatally exposed to substances or medications. NAS includes opioids, antidepressants, and barbiturates, whereas NOWS is specific for opioids or medications that the mother is receiving to address opioid substance use disorder while pregnant (McQueen & Murphy-Oikonen, 2016; Patrick et al., 2020). The symptoms of substance withdrawal in infants may include gastrointestinal problems, state dysregulation, as well as oral and behavioral dysfunction (Maguire et al., 2015). Infants born substance exposed have more feeding problems than non-substance exposed infants (McGlothen-Bell et al., 2020; Oostlander et al., 2019) and may have long-term deficits in feeding (Procter-Williams, 2018). Through a sensory-based and family-centered trauma-informed approach, OT practitioners can promote these infants’ participation in the vital occupation of feeding.