# Development of the simplified Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Scoring System

> **NIH NIH R03** · THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $80,847

## Abstract

Abstract
The neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is characterized by a pattern of signs resulting from the cessation of
maternal transfer of certain xenobiotics. Manifestations are driven primarily by opioids, though other exposures
such as benzodiazepines can worsen the severity of symptoms. Cardinal manifestations of opioid withdrawal
reside primarily in autonomic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and neurologic domains. On the basis of use in the
MOTHER trial and other randomized controlled trials, the MOTHER NAS scale represents the de facto
standard tool for scoring NAS severity. This instrument is quite long (28 items, 19 contributing to the total
score) and potentially redundant, but it is considered the “gold standard” for neonatal physicians treating NAS.
The overall goal of this research is to develop a shorter scoring instrument that would be in a high agreement
with the “gold standard” MOTHER NAS scale for the purpose of clinical decision-making.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9932468
- **Project number:** 5R03HD098476-02
- **Recipient organization:** THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Inna Chervoneva
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $80,847
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-20 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9932468

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9932468, Development of the simplified Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Scoring System (5R03HD098476-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9932468. Licensed CC0.

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