Abstract

Opioid use in high-risk hospitalized infants presents significant clinical and economic burdens on healthcare systems. Infants exposed to opioids in utero or requiring opioid treatment for pain management often experience prolonged hospital stays, complex withdrawal syndromes, and increased medical interventions. This article explores the direct and indirect costs associated with opioid use in neonates, including neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and opioid-induced respiratory complications. Through an analysis of hospital expenditures, long-term healthcare needs, and societal impacts, this review highlights the financial and ethical challenges of opioid administration in this vulnerable population. Understanding these costs can inform policies and practices aimed at optimizing neonatal care and reducing the economic burden on healthcare institutions and society.