Understanding Vital Signs in Babies Exposed to Opioids
Vital Signs In Opioid-Exposed Neonates
This project aims to use babies' heart and breathing patterns to better understand and predict withdrawal symptoms and other risks in newborns exposed to opioids before birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170466 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many babies born to mothers who used opioids during pregnancy experience withdrawal symptoms, known as Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), and face a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Currently, it's hard to tell how severe NOWS will be or a baby's SIDS risk. This project will look at heart rate, breathing rate, and oxygen levels in opioid-exposed newborns soon after birth. By analyzing these vital signs, researchers hope to create mathematical models that can predict the onset and severity of NOWS, allowing for earlier and more tailored care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research focuses on newborns who were exposed to opioids before birth.
Not a fit: Newborns not exposed to opioids before birth would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier identification of babies at risk for NOWS and SIDS, allowing for more timely and effective medical support.
How similar studies have performed: While the Finnegan scoring system is currently used, this project aims to develop a more objective and quantitative approach, building on existing knowledge of vital sign monitoring.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ambalavanan, Namasivayam — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Ambalavanan, Namasivayam
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.