Comparison of the effect of Morphine and Buprenorphine on full-term and near-term neonates with neonatal abstinence syndrome admitted to Valiasr Hospital, Birjand, Iran; A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Abstract

Background: Because there are insufficient data to compare the relative efficacy of commonly prescribed opioids (morphine and buprenorphine), the present study aimed to compare the effect of morphine and buprenorphine on term and near-term neonates with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Materials and Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 60 neonates admitted to Valiasr Hospital in Birjand in two groups whose mothers were addicted to drugs (opium and its derivatives) and the neonate had symptoms of withdrawal syndrome. Neonatal assessment was based on Finnegan score. The neonates were randomly assigned to buprenorphine (n = 30) and morphine (n = 30). The Chi square test, Fisher exact test, student t.test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparing background characteristics and treatment outcome between two groups. Results: In the present study, a total of 53.3% of the patients in both groups were boys and the rest were girls. The mean length of hospital stay in the buprenorphine and morphine groups was 5.97 ± 3.38 and 7.53 ± 4.83 days, respectively (p=0.15). Also, apnea was observed in 33.3% of the total neonates in the buprenorphine group and 43.3% of the neonates in the morphine group (p=0.43). The two groups were homogenous in regards of apnea complications, oral intolerance, hypotension and blood culture result (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed no significant difference between the results of treatment and reduction of treatment complications between buprenorphine and morphine-treated neonates.