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Buprenorphine for Treatment of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in Infants With In Utero Exposure to Benzodiazepines

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT01671410
Lead Sponsor
Thomas Jefferson University
Brief Summary

The opioid neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a condition of withdrawal symptoms after utero exposure to opioids. Sublingual buprenorphine shows promise as a new treatment in NAS. This trial will investigate the safety and tolerability of sublingual buprenorphine in infants exposed to both opioids and benzodiazepines in utero or with exposure of opioids in those who are breastfeeding.

Detailed Description

Infants with in utero exposure to opioids often require therapy with morphine for an extended period. In a clinical trial, sublingual buprenorphine reduced this treatment period by \~30%. However, infants with both opioid and benzodiazepine exposure were not included in the trial. This study will test the safety and tolerability of sublingual buprenorphine in infants with in utero exposure to benzodiazepines or who are breastfeeding.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
11
Inclusion Criteria
  1. ≥ 37 weeks gestation
  2. Exposure to opioids in utero
  3. Demonstration of signs and symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome requiring treatment
  4. Exposure to benzodiazepines in utero and/or receiving breast milk. Benzodiazepine use is defined as maternal use in the past 30 days, and/or receipt of benzodiazepines by prescription (as determined by self-report or intake urine) by the mother 30 days prior to birth.
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Major congenital malformations and/or intrauterine growth retardation defined as birth weight <2200 gm
  2. Medical illness requiring intensification of medical therapy. This includes, but is not limited to suspected sepsis requiring antibiotic therapy.
  3. Hypoglycemia requiring treatment with intravenous dextrose
  4. Bilirubin >20 mg/dL (The need for phototherapy is not exclusionary)
  5. Seizure activity or other neurologic abnormality

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
sublingual buprenorphinesublingual buprenorphineInitial daily dose: 15.9 mcg/kg/day; Initial unit dose: 5.3 mcg/kg q8 hours; Maximum daily dose: 60 mcg/kg/day; Up-titration rate: 25%; Weaning rate: 10%; Cessation Dose: Within 10 or 20% of starting dose
oral morphineoral morphineInitial daily dose: 0.4 mg/kg/day; Initial unit dose: 0.07 mg/kg q 4 hours; Maximum daily dose: 1.25 mg/kg/day; Up-titration rate: 20%; Weaning rate: 10%; Cessation Dose: 0.025 mg/kg q 4 hours
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Length of treatmentPatients will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 5 weeks

This endpoint will compare length of treatment (in days) using sublingual buprenorphine or oral morphine solution.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Length of hospitalizationPatients will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 5 weeks

This endpoint will compare length of stay (in days) using sublingual buprenorphine or oral morphine

Number of patients requiring supplemental phenobarbital treatmentPatients will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 5 weeks

This endpoint will compare requirement number of patients who require use of supplemental phenobarbital for treatment of NAS

Number of participants with adverse events as a measure of safety and tolerabilityPatients will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 5 weeks

Adverse events will be collected, graded by severity, and assessed for causality referent to study drug.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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