Lecture Objectives: 

By the end of this lecture, participants will be able to: 

1. Recognize and diagnose NOWS 

• Identify common clinical manifestations of NOWS using standardized assessment tools (e.g., Finnegan Scoring, Eat-Sleep-Console method). 

• Understand the pathophysiology of opioid withdrawal in neonates and factors influencing severity. 

2. Evaluate and implement current best practices for managing NOWS 

• Compare and contrast non-pharmacologic (rooming-in, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin) vs. pharmacologic (morphine, methadone, clonidine) interventions. 

• Understand the role of maternal opioid replacement therapy (buprenorphine vs. methadone) in reducing NOWS severity. 

3. Critically assess emerging pharmacologic treatments 

• Analyze recent research on clonidine monotherapy and buprenorphine as alternatives to traditional opioid-based therapies. 

• Discuss the potential benefits and risks of alternative pharmacologic strategies in reducing hospital stay and improving neonatal outcomes. 

4. Understand the long-term neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes of opioid-exposed infants 

• Examine neuroimaging and neurodevelopmental studies highlighting white matter changes and cognitive risks in opioid-exposed infants. 

• Explore strategies for early intervention and developmental follow-up for high-risk infants. 

5. Apply a multidisciplinary and family-centered approach to NOWS management 

• Discuss the importance of family engagement, social determinants of health, and policy changes in improving neonatal outcomes. 

Presentation by University of Kentucky MFM, Dr. Mirsky and Dr. Parilla 

Cradle Cincinnati is a collective approach to ending infant mortality. They are a network of community members and organizations working across sectors to measurably improve Cincinnati's infant mortality rate, they bring together services and systems to help moms and, in turn, save babies' lives.

The Cradle Cincinnati Learning Collaborative (CCLC), launched in 2015, is a network of more than 200 healthcare professionals representing hospitals, community health centers, home health agencies, and social support organizations. These representatives are committed to transforming prenatal care for women and their families. At the heart of our work, we believe in providing equitable care that centers on women’s voices and experiences. Using data-sharing and an “all teach, all learn” model, the CCLC serves as an opportunity to activate change within the prenatal care space. We aim to lower infant mortality by focusing on activities and interventions related to the following focus areas: reducing extreme preterm birth, eliminating sleep-related infant death, preventing birth defects, and reducing the racial disparity in birth outcomes.

Presented by

Senior Data Management Specialist, D. Walker MPH, CHES

Senior Program Manager, L. Everett MPH

Learn more about Cradle Cincinnati

 K. Gardner,

Kentucky Department for Public Health

Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning

Viral Hepatitis Program Coordinator

A new offering by Dr. Jessica Young, the Medical Director of the Firefly program, Acudetox is a treatment method that involves placing acupuncture needles gently in the ear at specific points. The intervention can provide symptom relief, relax the nervous system, calm emotions, and support patients in their recovery.

Background : Vanderbilt has been caring for women with substance use disorder and their children since 2011. In 2020, the program received funds from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through the Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) model, in partnership with TennCare. This influx of support lead to the official launch of Firefly in 2021, an expanded, multi-disciplinary outpatient clinical program spanning OB/GYN, Pediatrics, & Psychiatry.