Neonatal Toxicology Market Size, Share, Trends, Industry Analysis Report
By Specimen (Urine, Umbilical Cord, Meconium, And Others), By Technology, By Drug, By End Use, and By Region – Market Forecast, 2025–2034
- Published Date:Oct-2025
- Pages: 125
- Format: PDF
- Report ID: PM6511
- Base Year: 2024
- Historical Data: 2020-2023
Overview
The global neonatal toxicology market size was valued at USD 10.64 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 7.65% from 2025 to 2034. Rising prevalence of maternal substance use coupled with expanding neonatal and maternal healthcare infrastructure is propelling the market growth.
Key Insights
- In terms of specimen, the meconium segment was the market leader in 2024, due to its capability to offer a greater detection window for prenatal drug use.
- In technology, the mass spectroscopy segment was the market leader, driven by its high accuracy, specificity, and capacity to identify low-concentration drug metabolites in complex neonatal specimens.
- North America led the global market for neonatal toxicology in 2024, driven by a high incidence of neonatal exposure to drugs, such as opioids and prescription drugs.
- The U.S. contributed the highest in the region, driven by the widespread use of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and sophisticated neonatal healthcare infrastructure.
- Asia Pacific is expected to experience high growth over the forecast period, fueled by increasing awareness in healthcare providers and parents for neonatal health and early intervention.
- India dominated the regional market, propelled by growth in neonatal care units and hospital infrastructure.
Industry Dynamics
- Increasing incidence of maternal drug abuse across the globe is fueling adoption of neonatal toxicology screening for early intervention and detection.
- Growth in neonatal and maternal healthcare infrastructure is also increasing the demand for sophisticated testing solutions.
- High prices of sophisticated diagnostic equipment and reagents are restraining the market growth, particularly for smaller hospitals and developing regions.
- Microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip platforms offer new opportunities, facilitating point-of-care testing with small samples and quicker, precise results.
Market Statistics
- 2024 Market Size: USD 10.64 Billion
- 2034 Projected Market Size: USD 22.22 Billion
- CAGR (2025–2034): 7.64%
- North America: Largest Market Share
The neonatal toxicology market includes laboratory testing, diagnostic services, and monitoring solutions aimed at detecting newborn exposure to toxic substances before birth or after delivery. The solutions are commonly applied in clinical labs, NICUs, and hospitals for the detection of exposure to drugs, alcohol, and environmental toxins to facilitate early treatment and intervention.
Increasing R&D investment is propelling the development of new neonatal toxicology testing kits, screening platforms, and point-of-care diagnostics. These new advancements are making it easier and quicker for healthcare professionals to detect toxic substances in newborns. Increasing emphasis on R&D is boosting the adoption of sophisticated toxicology solutions in neonatal care.
Technological advancements in diagnostics, such as mass spectrometry, immunoassays, and other high-precision diagnostics, are facilitating quicker and more accurate identification of drugs, alcohol, and environmental poisons among neonates. These advances help in facilitating interventions at the appropriate time and improved clinical responses. Improving diagnostic features are enhancing the overall market growth of neonatal toxicology.
Drivers & Opportunities
Rising Prevalence of Maternal Substance Use Globally: Increasing substance use during pregnancy is increasing neonatal exposure to drugs, alcohol, and environmental toxins, thus boosting the demand for early detection and monitoring. The World Health Organization estimates, women account for around 40% of the world's substance users. The increasing maternal substance exposure is the driving the need for extensive neonatal toxicology screening.
Expanding Neonatal and Maternal Healthcare Infrastructure: Expansion of hospitals, neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and specialized clinics is facilitating broader use of toxicology screening among newborns. In September 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) initiated the "Responding to Obstetric Emergencies and Unintended Pregnancies 2024–2027" project in partnership with MSD to enhance maternal and neonatal care. Enhanced healthcare infrastructure is facilitating wider use of neonatal toxicology solutions.
Segmental Insights
By Specimen
Based on specimen the market is classified into urine, umbilical cord, meconium, and others. The meconium segment held a major share in 2024, owing to its ability to provide a longer detection window for prenatal drug exposure.
Umbilical cord tissue is projected to grow rapidly during the forecast period due to its faster turnaround time immediately after birth.
By Technology
In terms of technology the market is categorized into mass spectroscopy and immunoassay. The immunoassay segment dominated the market in 2024 due to its wide clinical adoption, faster processing time, and cost-effectiveness for routine screening programs.
Mass spectroscopy is estimated to grow at a fast pace due to its superior accuracy, specificity, and capability to detect low-concentration drug metabolites in complex neonatal samples.
By Drug
Based on drug the market is divided into cannabinoids, opioids, cocaine, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, and other illicit drugs. Opioids accounted for the largest share in 2024, driven by the escalating incidence of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) in several countries.
Testing for cannabinoids is projected to grow rapidly due to legalization trends and rising maternal cannabis usage.
By End Use
Based on end use the market is divided into hospitals, clinical laboratories and others. Hospitals dominated the market in 2024 as they are the primary centers for immediate neonatal screening and early intervention.
Clinical laboratories is projected to grow rapidly, fueled by advanced confirmatory toxicology and specialized multi-panel drug analysis.
Regional Analysis
North America led the neonatal toxicology market driven by high prevalence of neonatal exposure to drugs, including opioids and other prescription medications. Increasing awareness among healthcare providers and parents about early screening and timely intervention is supporting market growth and improving neonatal health outcomes.
The U.S. Neonatal Toxicology Market Overview
The U.S. dominated the North America market, driven by widespread adoption of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and advanced neonatal healthcare infrastructure. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every state in the country operates a newborn screening program that tests infants for multiple serious yet treatable congenital conditions, reinforcing the critical role of early toxicology assessments.
Asia Pacific Neonatal Toxicology Market Insights
Asia Pacific is witnessing rapid growth in the neonatal toxicology market, fueled by rising awareness among healthcare professionals and parents regarding neonatal health and early intervention. Adoption of lab-based screening solutions and advanced neonatal care practices is increasing in emerging economies to ensure better health outcomes.
India Neonatal Toxicology Market Analysis
India is leading the market in Asia Pacific, due to the expansion of neonatal care facilities and hospital infrastructure. In September 2025, Reckitt, in partnership with PATH and the Centre for Health Research and Innovation (CHRI), launched the Dettol Banega Swasth India Maternal and Child Health Tech Accelerator, aiming to identify and support innovative healthcare solutions for the first 1,000 days of life, particularly in underserved communities.
Europe Neonatal Toxicology Market Assessment
Europe dominated market share in neonatal toxicology because of well-developed neonatal healthcare infrastructure in the form of specialist NICUs, allowing for early identification of drug exposure in infants. Public health authorities are increasingly adopting measures to screen and prevent neonatal exposure to dangerous substances, consolidating preventive care and overall neonatal outcome.
Key Players & Competitive Analysis
The global neonatal toxicology market is moderately competitive, with key players competing in advanced toxicology screening, biomarker-based diagnostics, and precision drug testing solutions for infants. Growth in the market is driven by expanding rates of prenatal drug use, expanding applications of neonatal drug monitoring programs, and implementations of LC-MS/MS and high-sensitivity immunoassay technologies.
Key companies operating in the global Neonatal Toxicology market include Agilent Technologies, Inc., ARUP Laboratories, Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., Clinical Reference Laboratory, Inc., Cordant Health Solutions, Inc., Eurofins Scientific SE, Labcorp Holdings, Inc., Medpace Holdings, Inc., Omega Laboratories, Inc., QuidelOrtho Corporation, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., United States Drug Testing Laboratories, Inc. (USDTL), and WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd.
Key Players
- Agilent Technologies, Inc.
- ARUP Laboratories, Inc.
- Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
- Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.
- Clinical Reference Laboratory, Inc.
- Cordant Health Solutions, Inc.
- Eurofins Scientific SE
- Labcorp Holdings, Inc.
- Medpace Holdings, Inc.
- Omega Laboratories, Inc.
- QuidelOrtho Corporation
- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
- United States Drug Testing Laboratories, Inc. (USDTL)
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd.
Neonatal Toxicology Industry Developments
In January 2025, Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) announced the sale of United States Drug Testing Laboratories Inc. (USDTL) to Northlane Capital Partners (NCP), a private equity firm focused on healthcare and business services.
In August 2024, Labcorp completed the acquisition of select assets from Invitae, enhancing its genetic testing and diagnostic capabilities to support precision medicine, therapy development, and improved patient care.
Neonatal Toxicology Market Segmentation
By Specimen Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020–2034)
- Urine
- Umbilical Cord
- Meconium
- Others
By Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020–2034)
- Mass spectroscopy
- Immunoassay
By Drug Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020–2034)
- Cannabinoids
- Opioids
- Cocaine
- Benzodiazepines
- Amphetamines
- Other illicit drugs
By End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020–2034)
- Hospitals
- Clinical Laboratories
- Others
By Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020–2034)
- North America
- U.S.
- Canada
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- UK
- Italy
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Russia
- Rest of Europe
- Asia Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- Malaysia
- South Korea
- Indonesia
- Australia
- Vietnam
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- Middle East & Africa
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- Israel
- South Africa
- Rest of Middle East & Africa
- Latin America
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Rest of Latin America
Neonatal Toxicology Market Report Scope
|
Report Attributes |
Details |
|
Market Size in 2024 |
USD 10.64 Billion |
|
Market Size in 2025 |
USD 11.44 Billion |
|
Revenue Forecast by 2034 |
USD 22.22 Billion |
|
CAGR |
7.65% from 2025 to 2034 |
|
Base Year |
2024 |
|
Historical Data |
2020–2023 |
|
Forecast Period |
2025–2034 |
|
Quantitative Units |
Revenue in USD Billion and CAGR from 2025 to 2034 |
|
Report Coverage |
Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Industry Trends |
|
Segments Covered |
|
|
Regional Scope |
|
|
Competitive Landscape |
|
|
Report Format |
|
|
Customization |
Report customization as per your requirements with respect to countries, regions, and segmentation. |
© 2025 Polaris Market Research and Consulting. All rights reserved
