Helping Kentucky newborns with opioid withdrawal
Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) in Kentucky: Improving Outcomes for Infants
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE · NIH-11168841
This program works to improve care and outcomes for newborn babies in Kentucky who go through opioid withdrawal after birth.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOUISVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11168841 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If my baby was exposed to opioids before birth, this project aims to standardize and improve how hospitals care for infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome across Kentucky. Participating hospitals will collect clinical data, implement coordinated care practices (including non-drug comfort measures and clearer medication plans), and train staff to reduce variation between sites. The team will follow infants' hospital courses and link care changes to outcomes like length of stay, medication needs, and early parent–infant bonding. Families in rural and underserved areas are a key focus, so the project emphasizes approaches that can work outside major medical centers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Newborns in Kentucky who were exposed to opioids during pregnancy or diagnosed with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, and their families, are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Babies who were not exposed to opioids before birth, older children, or families outside participating Kentucky hospitals would not be expected to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could shorten infants' hospital stays, reduce unnecessary medication, and support better parent–infant bonding and long-term development.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller studies and hospital quality initiatives have shown that standardized care and rooming-in approaches can help, but large, generalizable studies are still limited.
Where this research is happening
LOUISVILLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE — LOUISVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DEVLIN-PHINNEY, LORI ANN — UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
- Study coordinator: DEVLIN-PHINNEY, LORI ANN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.