Acute Hypertension during Clonidine Taper in an Infant with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Mark Greenberg *
UCSD Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego CA 92131, USA.
Alyssa Brzenski
UCSD Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego CA 92131, USA.
Dawn Reeves
UCSD Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego CA 92131, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A 2,600-gram infant treated with methadone and clonidine for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) developed acute hypertension following initiation of the clonidine taper, requiring treatment with a calcium channel blocker. While transient hypertension after discontinuing alpha-2 agonist treatment is common, prolonged elevation of blood pressure is uncommon. Thus, more gradual tapering and careful monitoring of blood pressure following discontinuation of clonidine in newborn patients could be warranted.
Keywords: Neonatal withdrawal syndrome, alpha-2 agonist, withdrawal, blood pressure.