Number Of Babies Born With Drug Withdrawals Soars
According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the number of babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) has tripled between 2000 and 2009.
?Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome is a condition that babies develop from moms that have been on narcotics during their pregnancy, whether it?s legal narcotics, like prescription drugs, or even things like heroin,? said Dr. Todd West with the Pediatrix Medical Group at Memorial Hospital.
West said the number of cases has increased dramatically in southern Colorado. West said they have seen about 20 cases since 2011, averaging about one per month.
Symptoms associated with NAS typically show up a few days after delivery, and can include irritability and excessive crying. NAS can also be associated with developmental problems later in life, according to West.
West said there are two treatments for babies suffering with NAS.
?First is trying to replace the narcotic that they need and that their bodies are dependent on. We use methodone for the babies in those situations but equally as important as the medication is a lot of other comfort measure for the babies,? said West. He explained these measure include keeping the baby?s room dark and quiet and also giving them a lot of attention by holding them and cuddling them.
The previously mentioned study also looked into the cost associated with caring for the babies in the hospitals. According to the study, nationwide hospital charges for NAS cases has increased from $190 million in 2000 to $720 million in 2009.
West explains that this is associated with the additional care these babies receive prior to being released, with many kept in intensive care treatment for one month.
?A lot of these babies are on Medicaid and so it is really coming out of taxpayer dollars for these babies to receive care,? he said.
West, along with his partner Dr. Mary Laird, have teamed up with Peak Vista Community Health Centers in an attempt to give the babies the best possible chance of recovery.
?To create this cooperation between all of us so that we can make sure that all of these babies really do take advantage of the resources that are available in our community,? said West.
West said this program will provide the babies with long-term care ?so that they can develop the best as possible.?
West said the partnership with Peak Vista Community Health Centers will also assist the parents in taking advantage of community resources.
?We really think that this is going to make a big difference for families, their stress levels and the babies’ outcome,? said West.
