Investigating signs of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and its long-term effects on development
Official title: Clinical markers of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome: onset, severity and longitudinal neurodevelopmental outcome
Funded at Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island · NIH-10794353 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at newborns who were exposed to opioids to find early signs of withdrawal and see how it affects their development, so we can help them better before any symptoms show up, and we'll check in on their growth at 6 and 18 months.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2020 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $768,958 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA049755-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10794353 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include newborns who have been exposed to opioids in utero.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who were not exposed to opioids during pregnancy are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on newborns exposed to opioids, aiming to identify early clinical markers of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) and their impact on neurodevelopment. The study will assess newborn neurobehavior, analyze cry patterns, and evaluate prenatal substance exposure through maternal hair samples. By implementing non-invasive predictors, the research seeks to improve early intervention strategies before symptoms of NOWS manifest. Longitudinal assessments will track the developmental outcomes of these infants at 6 and 18 months.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to personalized treatment plans that improve care and outcomes for newborns affected by opioid exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot studies have shown promising results in identifying newborns with NOWS using similar approaches, indicating potential for success in this research.
Where this research is happening
-
Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lester, Barry M. — Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Lester, Barry M.
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.