From womb to withdrawal: born addicted

The current opioid epidemic has not come without an associated impact on neonates and their mothers. Exposure to opiates in utero puts neonates at risk of having neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and premature birth. This review discusses the increasing relevance of NAS in the world today, as well as its identification, treatment, and potential future consequences for those exposed to opioids in utero. At present, there is insufficient evidence to clearly determine superior neonatal evaluation tools, first-line and adjunctive treatment methods, or long-term outcomes, and thus further research into these areas is necessary.