BoRN ADDICTED: Neonatal Abstinence syndrome By Jessica Gutierrez for Dr. Duston Morris Summer 2017 – Tech Apps in Health Sciences

Neonatal abstinence syndrome NAS: A GROUP OF PROBLEMS THAT OCCUR IN A NEWBORN WHO WAS EXPOSED TO ADDICTIVE DRUGS WHILE IN THE MOTHER’S WOMB. INFANTS SUFFERING FROM NAS UNDERGO PAINFUL, OFTEN LENGTHY WITHDRAWAL.

How do we treat this issue? NAS is preventable if an expectant mother receives proper care and treatment. How do we treat this issue? Primary prevention is the most helpful: Pregnant women need education to abstain from dangerous substances and substance abuse. NAS can prevented with early intervention for mothers!! According to the CDC: Primary Prevention and Public Health Strategies to Prevent Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a growing problem in the United States. ... Screening of pregnant women can also be an effective prevention strategy by determining who may need additional care or treatment for opioid use. One of the most effective prevention strategies is to improve preconception health care, and to educate both patients and providers about appropriate use of prescription drugs during pregnancy. 

NAS may be treated post birth… However, this is NOT an intervention. It is not the best option nor does it have the best outcome! Sustained symptom escalation often requires pharmacological intervention with methadone or morphine. Once NAS symptoms remediate, treatment medication is weaned on a modified protocol that can extend for three weeks or more. Pharmacological intervention is required for 50 to 70% of infants.

IN summation… Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome is a painful, at times lengthy condition that harms infants born to substance-abusing mothers. Infants are exposed to drugs and other substances while in utero as they pass from the mother to the baby via the placenta. Prescription drugs may be just as dangerous as illicit drugs when not taken appropriately or prescribed incorrectly. Intervention is possible pre-pregnancy with education and information to mothers and physicians who prescribe medication NAS may be treated with medications post birth but this approach is not ideal. Ideally, women intending to get pregnant will abstain from substance abuse.

References Hudak ML, Tan RC, Committee on Drugs, Committee on Fetus and Newborn: American Academy of Pediatrics. Neonatal drug withdrawal. Pediatrics. 2012;129(2):e540-60. PMID: 22291123 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22291123. Wenner, David. "Born Addicts, Opioid Babies in Withdrawal From First Breath." US News. Associatd Press, 18 Feb. 2017. Web. 7 July 2017. <https://www.usnews.com/news/pennsylvania/articles/2017-02-18/born-addicts- opioid-babies-in-withdrawal-from-first-breath>. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/detoxing-after-delivery-when-babies-are-born-withdrawing-from-opioids/