Policy & Clinical Practice Guidelines

AAP Policy

Policy development is one of the fundamental competencies of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and aligns with the AAP mission, vision, and core values. Policies outline recommendations and guidance based on scientific evidence and expert consensus. The AAP believes that pediatricians have the ability and knowledge to advance a public health approach when caring for infants and families affected by opioid use.

• Policy statements advocate, direct, or detail a public health position of concern to the AAP. Policy statements drive the organization’s activities and represent the AAP stance on specific issues.
• Clinical reports guide pediatricians in the clinical setting by addressing best practices and state-of-the-art medicine.

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (Clinical Report)

Pediatrician Guidance in Supporting Families of Children Who Are Adopted, Fostered, or Kindship Care (Clinical Report)

A Public Health Response to Opioid Use in Pregnancy (Policy Statement)

Families Affected by Parental Substance Use (Clinical Report)

Promoting Optimal Development: Identifying Infants and Young Children With Developmental Disorders Through Developmental Surveillance and Screening (Clinical Report)

The Transfer of Drugs and Therapeutics into Human Breast Milk: An Update on Selected Topics (Clinical Report)

Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant (Clinical Report)

Trauma-Informed Care in Child Health Systems (Policy Statement)

Preventing Childhood Toxic Stress: Partnering With Families and Communities to Promote Relational Health (Policy Statement)

Transition to a Safe Home Sleep Environment for the NICU Patient (Policy Statement)

Dealing with the Caretaker Whose Judgment Is Impaired by Alcohol or Drugs: Legal and Ethical Considerations (Clinical Report)

Identifying Child Abuse Fatalities During Infancy (Clinical Report)

Principles of Financing the Medical Home for Children (Policy Statement)

Elimination of Perinatal Hepatitis B: Providing the First Vaccine Dose Within 24 hours of Birth (Policy Statement)

Position Statements & Resources from Other Organizations

The AAP recognizes that an effective health system of care is coordinated between multidisciplinary partners, collaborative work and shared values. The following is a collection of relevant position statements from other medical organization and resources from government agencies with respect to the care and treatment for mothers and infants affected by opioid use.

Opioid Use and Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  & American Society of Addiction Medicine

Postpartum Pain Management
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Health Care for Pregnant and Postpartum Incarcerated Women and Adolescent Females
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Newborn Screening and the Role of the Obstetrician-Gynecologist
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Use of Illegal and Harmful Substances by Pregnant Women
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry