What’s in a name? The ethical implications and opportunities in diagnosing an infant with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a condition mired in stigma. Diagnostic efforts focus upon the needs of the mother and the clinicians and may sideline and neglect the infant. This results in ‘reflected stigma’ where patients do not receive needed care because we, as clinicians, are too afraid to acknowledge their condition. There is no doubt that NAS, as a diagnosis, is a work in progress but in the meantime, NAS should be used as an opportunity to identify children with a history of prenatal substance exposure so they can receive much-needed early intervention and support, just as any other child in need.