Comparison of protocols for the management of SSRI-exposed neonates
| Protocol 1 | Protocol 2 | Protocol 3 | Protocol 4 | |
| Signs and symptoms of withdrawal | •Irritability •Tremor •Increased tone •Feeding difficulties | •Agitation •Irritability •Somnolence | •Poor feeding •Jitteriness/tremors •Agitation •Respiratory distress •Lethargy •Seizures | •Tremors •Jitteriness •Irritability •Muscle tone abnormalities •Excess crying •Sleep disturbance •Tachypnoea •Feeding problems |
| Duration of hospital stay | 24 hours | Not mentioned | 48 hours | 48 hours |
| Regime of observations | Four hourly | Not mentioned | Eight hourly (increased if high scores) | Eight hourly (increased if high scores) |
| Scoring system used | Not mentioned | Not mentioned | Adapted Rivers scoring chart, with Finnegan scoring thresholds.10 11 | ‘Inpatient scoring system’ recommended but no reference to a specific system made. Finnegan scoring thresholds used.10 |
| Treatment of symptomatic infants | Not mentioned | Not mentioned | Chlorpromazine or phenobarbitone | Phenobarbitone |