Which of the following is a CNS symptom of neonatal abstinence syndrome?

Which of the following is a CNS symptom of neonatal abstinence syndrome?

• A. Autonomic dysfunction like sweating
• B. GI distress like vomiting
• C. Jaundice
• D. High-pitched crying, tremors, and jitteriness

Answer: (D)

Neonatal abstinence syndrome presents with three domains of symptoms: central nervous system, autonomic, and gastrointestinal. The central nervous system signs reflect withdrawal-driven neuroexcitation and include high-pitched crying, tremors, jitteriness, irritability, and sleep disturbances. Among the options, the description of high-pitched crying with tremors and jitteriness clearly represents central nervous system hyperexcitability after in utero opioid exposure. Autonomic dysfunction like sweating is an autonomic sign, GI distress like vomiting is a gastrointestinal sign, and jaundice is not a typical NAS CNS symptom.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome presents with three domains of symptoms: central nervous system, autonomic, and gastrointestinal. The central nervous system signs reflect withdrawal-driven neuroexcitation and include high-pitched crying, tremors, jitteriness, irritability, and sleep disturbances. Among the options, the description of high-pitched crying with tremors and jitteriness clearly represents central nervous system hyperexcitability after in utero opioid exposure. Autonomic dysfunction like sweating is an autonomic sign, GI distress like vomiting is a gastrointestinal sign, and jaundice is not a typical NAS CNS symptom.