Nursing infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome: Time to change practice?

This article reviews recent literature relating to the nursing management of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). The current care of infants with NAS in the UK is discussed, and the benefit to the infant of being with its mother is emphasised. Some traditional and contemporary withdrawal scoring systems are considered, and recommendations for current nursing practice and further research are identified. Health professionals will benefit from this review as it recognises the difficulties in NAS management, yet emphasises some simple and effective nursing interventions that may reduce infant and family stress, and shorten the duration of hospitalisation for these vulnerable infants and their families.