A Comparison of the effects of Morphine and Buprenorphine on full-term and near-term neonates with neonatal abstinence syndrome

Background: Since there is insufficient data to compare the relative efficacy of commonly prescribed opioids (morphine and buprenorphine), the present study aimed to compare the effect of morphine and buprenorphine on term and near-term neonates with neonatal abstinence syndrome.Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 60 neonates whose mothers were addicted to drugs (opium and its derivatives) and the neonate had symptoms of withdrawal syndrome. They were all. Admitted to Valiasr Hospital in Birjand. Neonatal assessment was based on Finnegan score. The neonates were randomly assigned in two groups of buprenorphine (n = 30) and morphine (n = 30). The Chi square test, Fisher exact test, student t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparing the background characteristics and treatment outcomes between the two groups.Results: In the present study, a total of 53.3% of the patients in both groups were boys and the rest were girls. The mean lengths of hospital stay in the buprenorphine and morphine groups were 5.97 ± 3.38 and 7.53 ± 4.83 days, respectively (p=0.15). Also, apnea was observed in 33.3% of the total neonates in the buprenorphine group and 43.3% of the neonates in the morphine group (p=0.43). The two groups were homogenous in regards to apnea complications, oral intolerance, hypotension and blood culture result (p>0.05)Conclusion: The results of the present study showed no significant difference in the outcomes of treatment and reduction of treatment complications between the buprenorphine and morphine-treated neonates