Salivary transcriptomic study to understand the molecular effects of feeding dysregulation in opioid-exposed neonates born late preterm

(ΔCt 15.44 ± 2.76 vs 13.84 ± 4.03, p = 0.054), and this was accompanied by greater milk consumption in the first week of life (average of 24.2 mL/kg/day). Male sex, withdrawal severity, maternal polysubstance, and methadone use were associated with increased need for tube feeding.ConclusionModulation of hypothalamic/reward and inflammation genes may contribute to the need for tube feeding and its associated risks in opioid-exposed late preterm neonates.