It’s a devastating reality: every hour, a baby is born in the United States addicted to opiates like OxyContin and Vicodin. These infants suffer from drug withdrawal due to their mother’s addiction during pregnancy. This condition, known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), is becoming more and more common, with recent studies showing a significant increase in occurrences in the past decade.
Opiate Use on the Rise
The reason for this troubling trend is the growing use of opiate drugs in the United States. Although the exact opiate used during pregnancy cannot be determined, it is clear that the overall usage of this class of drugs has grown fivefold over the past decade. As a result, more newborns are now suffering from withdrawal symptoms and facing a multitude of health issues.
The Growing Epidemic
This growing epidemic can be attributed to several factors, including increased access to prescription pain medications, a lack of education on the dangers of opiate use during pregnancy, and inadequate systems in place to monitor and regulate prescription drug use.
As opiate use increases in the United States, it becomes more crucial than ever for healthcare providers to be educated on the potential ramifications of these drugs and to look for alternative methods for pain management. At the same time, public health systems, doctors, and healthcare providers must employ clear regulation and monitoring strategies to prevent opiate drug abuse and inappropriate prescriptions, such as individuals obtaining prescriptions from multiple doctors.
Symptoms and Consequences of NAS
Babies born with NAS exhibit a wide range of withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Increased irritability
- Hypertonia (heightened muscle tone)
- Tremors
- Feeding intolerance
- Seizures
- Respiratory distress
These symptoms are often apparent to healthcare providers caring for these infants, as the babies appear uncomfortable, their cries are distinctive, and their overall demeanor is markedly different from babies not experiencing withdrawal.
In addition to these short-term symptoms, NAS can also lead to long-term health issues for a child. Infants with NAS are more likely to be born with a low birth weight and may face developmental challenges as they grow older.
Required Interventions
Ideally, doctors and healthcare providers should work with expectant mothers who are using opiates to develop a comprehensive care plan that focuses on minimizing the risk of NAS. However, should a baby be born with NAS, several interventions will be needed to manage symptoms and treat the infant. These interventions may include:
- The use of medications to treat symptoms: Many babies with NAS will require medications to help curb and manage withdrawal symptoms. This may include the use of medications like morphine or methadone, which will be gradually decreased as the baby recovers.
- Specialized care and monitoring: Babies born with NAS will often have an extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) under the care of a specialized medical team. This team will closely monitor the baby’s progress and adjust treatment as needed.
- Supportive care: Along with medication, babies with NAS may require supportive care, such as swaddling, a calm environment, and gentle rocking to soothe irritability and discomfort.
In some cases, other treatments, like occupational therapy and physical therapy, may be needed to address developmental delays and challenges as the child grows.
The Importance of Early Intervention and Support
One of the critical components for the successful treatment of NAS is early intervention and ongoing support for both the mother and her infant. Healthcare providers should work diligently to identify the signs of opiate use during pregnancy and engage these expectant mothers in comprehensive care plans.
Mothers should also inform their healthcare providers if they are using opiates so that the potential risk for NAS can be minimized. Prenatal care programs should incorporate opiate addiction support and treatment options, as well as providing guidance in managing stress, mental health concerns, and other issues that may impact the health of both the mother and her child.
The Future of NAS Prevention
As the opiate epidemic grows in the United States, so too does the number of babies born with NAS. Prevention is essential to curb this disturbing trend, and it starts with the education of healthcare providers and the public about the dangers of opiate use during pregnancy.
By enacting more robust prescription drug monitoring systems, doctors can better regulate the access and use of these drugs and prevent the potential harm they may cause to unborn children. With a multi-pronged approach to prevention, support, and treatment, it is possible to combat the growing instances of NAS and protect the health and well-being of future generations.
