Drug Testing for Newborn Exposure to Illicit Substances in Pregnancy: Pitfalls and Pearls

Table 2

Sample guideline for newborn drug testing.

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Medical indications for NEWBORN drug testing for possible exposure to illicit drugs

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, ANGELS Neonatal Guidelines [46]

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(1) History of maternal drug use or agitated/altered mental status in the mother

(2) No prenatal care

(3) Unexplained placental abruption

(4) Unexplained CNS complications in the newborn (seizures, intracranial hemorrhage)

(5) Symptoms of drug withdrawal in the newborn (tachypnea, hypertonicity, excessive stooling/secretions)

(6) Changes in behavioral state of the newborn (jittery, fussy, lethargic)

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