When observing a drug-exposed newborn, what symptom suggests that the newborn may be exhibiting withdrawal symptoms?

Choice A:

Blood pressure. The normal blood pressure range for a newborn is 60 to 80 mm Hg systolic and 40 to 50 mm Hg diastolic. The baby's blood pressure is low, which could indicate shock, dehydration, infection, or heart failure. This requires immediate follow-up to identify and treat the cause.

Choice B:

Gastrointestinal disturbances. Gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which is a withdrawal syndrome of infants after birth caused by in-utero exposure to drugs of dependence, most commonly opioids. These symptoms are not life-threatening and can be managed with supportive care such as hydration, nutrition, and comfort measures.

Choice C:

Skin color. Skin color is not a reliable indicator of NAS, as it can vary depending on the baby's ethnicity, temperature, oxygenation, and circulation. Skin color alone does not require immediate follow-up unless it is accompanied by other signs of distress such as cyanosis, pallor, or jaundice.

Choice D:

NAS score. NAS score is a tool used to assess the severity of withdrawal symptoms in infants with NAS. It includes items such as tremors, irritability, sleep problems, muscle tone, reflexes, seizures, yawning, sneezing, feeding, vomiting, stooling and temperature. A high NAS score indicates that the baby needs more intensive treatment such as medication to ease the withdrawal process. A low NAS score indicates that the baby is coping well and may not need medication. The NAS score should be monitored frequently and adjusted according to the baby's response.

Choice E:

Temperature. The normal temperature range for a newborn is 36.5 to 37.5°C (97.7 to 99.5°F). The baby's temperature is high, which could indicate infection, dehydration or hyperthermia. This requires immediate follow-up to identify and treat the cause.

Choice F:

Oxygen saturation. The normal oxygen saturation range for a newborn is 95 to 100%. The baby's oxygen saturation is within the normal range and does not require immediate follow- up unless it drops below 90% or rises above 100%, which could indicate hypoxia or hyperoxia respectively.

Choice G:

Central nervous system disturbances. Central nervous system disturbances such as seizures, tremors, irritability, and overactive reflexes are common symptoms of NAS. These symptoms are not life-threatening and can be managed with supportive care such as swaddling, rocking, dimming lights, and reducing noise.

Choice H:

Respiratory rate. The normal respiratory rate range for a newborn is 40 to 60 breaths per minute. The baby's respiratory rate is high, which could indicate respiratory distress, infection, pain, or anxiety. This requires immediate follow-up to identify and treat the cause.

Choice A reason:

Small for gestational age (SGA) newborns are at risk for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and respiratory acidosis because they have immature lungs that produce less surfactant, which is needed to keep the alveoli open and prevent atelectasis. SGA newborns also have less glycogen stores, which can lead to hypoglycemia and impaired oxygen delivery to the tissues.

Choice B reason:

Maternal history of asthma is not a risk factor for RDS or respiratory acidosis in the newborn. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that affects the mother, not the fetus. Maternal asthma can cause complications such as preterm labor, preeclampsia, or intrauterine growth restriction, but it does not directly affect the fetal lung development or function.

Choice C reason:

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital heart defect that causes a hole in the wall between the ventricles of the heart. This can result in increased pulmonary blood flow and pressure, which can lead to pulmonary edema and heart failure in the newborn. However, VSD does not cause RDS or respiratory acidosis, which are related to lung maturity and surfactant production.

Choice D reason:

Cesarean birth is not a risk factor for RDS or respiratory acidosis in the newborn. Cesarean birth can increase the risk of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), which is caused by delayed absorption of fetal lung fluid. TTN usually resolves within 24 to 48 hours and does not cause a significant acid-base imbalance in the newborn.