Keywords
Substance-related disorders
Maternal exposure
Health information systems
How to Cite
Copyright © | All rights reserved.
The journal holds the exclusive copyright for the publication of this article under the terms of Brazilian law 9610/98.
Partial reproduction
The use of parts of the texts, figures and questionnaire of the article is free, being mandatory the citation of the authors and journal.
Total reproduction
It is expressly prohibited and must be authorized by the journal.
Abstract
Objective: To analyze the temporal and spatial distribution of hospitalizations due to Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in Brazil, between 2020 and 2025, based on records from the SUS Hospital Information System. Methods: Ecological, descriptive, quantitative, and retrospective study, based on secondary data from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS), obtained via DATASUS/TabWin. Hospitalizations of newborns with ICD-10 P96.1 were included. Absolute frequency, distribution by federative unit, and descriptive measures (minimum, median, mean, and maximum) were analyzed. Results: Variation was observed throughout the period, with a reduction in 2021, an increase until 2023, a decrease in 2024, and renewed growth in 2025, which presented the highest average (88.73) and median (14.5). The peak occurred in 2023, with 1475 hospitalizations in the State of São Paulo. There was a strong concentration in the Southeast, especially in São Paulo (4935 hospitalizations), followed by Minas Gerais (1256) and Rio Grande do Sul (797). States in the North and part of the Northeast showed low or no hospitalizations. Conclusion: NAS presents an unequal distribution and variable temporal behavior in Brazil, possibly influenced by failures in identification and recording. The need to improve information systems, train professionals, and standardize records to improve surveillance and neonatal care is reinforced.
References
BHATT-MEHT V, et al. Transplacental methadone exposure and risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Pharmacotherapy, 2024; 44: 22-27.
BRASIL. Ministério da Saúde. DATASUS – Departamento de Informática do SUS. Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do SUS (SIH/SUS): produção hospitalar. Disponível em: https://datasus.saude.gov.br. Acessado em: 3 de março de 2026.
CHAVES MMP, MIRANDA JL. Sistemas de Informação em Saúde: desafios encontrados durante a operacionalização e compartilhamento de dados. Revista Eletrônica Acervo Saúde, 2023; 23(3): e11712.
DIAS LE, et al. Drogas na gestação em pré-natal de baixo risco e fatores associados. Acta Paulista de Enfermagem, 2024; 37: eAPE02622.
HAHN PD, et al. Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome treatment guidelines and birth hospital utilization. Pediatrics, 2024; 154(1): e2023063635.
HARWARD ML, et al. Neonatal abstinence syndrome in North Carolina: incidence and characteristics among infants and mothers. North Carolina Medical Journal, 2022; 83(2): 142-146.
JILANI SM, et al. Definitions of neonatal abstinence syndrome in clinical studies of mother and infants: an expert literature review. Journal of Perinatology, 2021; 41: 1364-1371.
KELTY E, et al. Prenatal opioid exposure and immune-related conditions in children. JAMA Network Open, 2024; 7(1): e2351933.
KUSHNIR A, et al. Neonatal abstinence syndrome in infants with prenatal exposure to methadone versus buprenorphine. Children, 2023; 10: 1030.
LEE KING PA, et al. Implementation of perinatal quality collaborative statewide initiative improves obstetrical opioid use disorder care and outcomes. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2025; 232(1): 130.e1-130.e10.
LISONKOVA S, et al. Neonatal abstinence syndrome and infant mortality and morbidity: a population-based study. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2024; 12: 1394682.
LOCH SF, et al. Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome is associated with infant foster care entry at the county level. Health Affairs, 2021; 40(11): 1776-1783.
MALLINSON DC, et al. Maternal opioid use disorder and infant mortality in Wisconsin, United States, 2010-2018. Preventive Medicine, 2024; 181: 107914.
MARTINS KP, et al. Síndrome de abstinência no contexto neonatal. Health & Society, 2024; 4(2).
NSW HEALTH. Clinical Guidance for the Management of Substance Use in Pregnancy, Birth and the Postnatal Period. Sydney: NSW Ministry of Health, 2024.
SAMANEZ OA, et al. Visualización y temas emergentes de la producción científica global sobre el síndrome de abstinencia neonatal: una aproximación bibliométrica. Boletín Médico del Hospital Infantil de México, 2025; 82(6): 340-349.
SHAHLA M, et al. Standardizing the clinical definition of opioid withdrawal in the neonate. The Journal of Pediatrics, 2022; 243: 33-39.e1.
TAVELLA RA, et al. Prevalence of illicit drug use during pregnancy: a global perspective. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 2020; 92(4): e20200302.
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE ON DRUGS AND CRIME (UNODC). World Drug Report 2025. New York: United Nations, 2025. Disponível em: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/world-drug-report-2025.html. Acessado em: 3 de março de 2026.
VOGADO CS, FIGUEIRA VB. Aspectos relevantes e cuidados na síndrome de abstinência neonatal. Saúde & Ciência em Ação – Revista Acadêmica do Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, 2021; 7(1).
WANG Y, et al. Duration and timing of in utero opioid exposure and incidence of neonatal withdrawal syndrome. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2023; 142(3): 603-611.