Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria: * ≥ 37 weeks gestation * exposure to opiates in utero * demonstration of signs and symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome requiring treatment Exclusion Criteria: * major congenital malformations and/or intrauterine growth retardation * medical illness requiring intensification of medical therapy * concomitant benzodiazepine or severe alcohol abuse, self-report of regular use of alcohol or of benzodiazepines use in the past 30 days, and/or receipt of benzodiazepines by prescription (as determined by self-report or intake urine) by the mother during pregnancy, * concomitant use of CYP 3A inhibitors (erythromycin, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, HIV protease inhibitors) or inducers (rifampin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital) prior to initiation of NAS treatment * seizure activity or other neurologic abnormality * breast feeding * inability of mother to give informed consent due to co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis * hypoglycemia requiring treatment with intravenous glucose