What is NOWS?
Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) is a condition seen in newborns who have been exposed to opioids in the womb. Symptoms often include tremors, excessive crying, sleep deprivation, and swallowing difficulties.
Cases of NOWS have been rising in recent years, with data indicating that every 15 minutes a baby is born experiencing opioid withdrawal. Healthcare providers in the United States have access to few standard, evidence-based treatments for NOWS.
What is HELP for NOWS?
The HEAL Evaluation of Limited Pharmacotherapies for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (HELP for NOWS) Consortium is a multi-center initiative working to design and implement a comparative effectiveness, randomized controlled trial that compares pharmacologic treatments for NOWS such as morphine, methadone, and buprenorphine— while taking into account other types of non-drug therapies, such as behavioral interventions.
The goal is to generate results that can inform clinical practice guidelines and give newborns with NOWS the best possible start.