The opioid epidemic has spread to most of the US states. Some of them have been impacted more severely while others are still at low risk of a drug crisis. Media outlets, local governments, educational institutions, police authorities, and treatment centers have combined their efforts to tackle diverse opioid-induced problems.
Opiate addiction affects not only the drug abusers but also their families. It often leads to broken relationships, ruined careers, and in extreme cases, fatalities. One of the lesser discussed opioid-related issues is the one affecting pregnant women and their babies.
Table of Contents
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) In Brief
Before they even come to the world, babies who are victims of NAS get exposed to drugs. When the mom consumes a drug during pregnancy, the fetus in her womb will inevitably suffer from the consequences of her choices.
One of the most common repercussions that NAS newborns experience is withdrawal symptoms. They could be immediate or become evident within the next few postnatal hours.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome is usually associated with opioid abuse. It is also referred to as NOWS, which stands for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome. The condition affects over 80 newborns each day. To put it into context, every 18 minutes an American baby is diagnosed with NAS.
Common Causes For NAS
While most frequently associated with opioid addictions, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome could also be the result of several other substance abuse conditions.
The most severe repercussions are caused by the combination of various drugs. It is not unusual for patients to mix illicit opioids (heroin) and prescription pills (codeine, morphine, or oxycodone).
Other types of drugs that are often quoted as causes for NAS are stimulants. The most popular ones are cocaine and amphetamines. In this case, it is not the withdrawal symptoms which the baby suffers from, but rather the immediate damage of the substance abuse.
Another class of drugs that is directly correlated to NAS is the depressants one. The leaders in this category are alcohol, marijuana, and other barbiturates.
Nicotine and alcohol exposure could also negatively affect the fetus, with the latter being the precursor of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Signs & Symptoms Of NAS
Though every baby is different, some of the most typical symptoms for NAS victims include:
- Any abnormal body movements, such as tremors, twitching, seizures, and tight muscles
- Excessive and unprovoked sweating, often in the form of clamminess
- Fluctuating body temperature, often accompanied by fever
- Gastrointestinal issues manifesting in diarrhea or vomiting
- Lack of appetite, trouble sucking, and poor feeding
- Disturbed sleeping patterns, combined with excessive yawning
- Sinuses-related problems, causing lots of sneezing and stuffy nose
- Overall uneasiness and continuous crying (often high-pitched)
The Severity Of The Signs Depends On Various Factors, Including:
- The type & quantity of drugs the mom consumed
- The length of exposure to the substance
- The maturity of the fetus (premature vs full-term)
The onset of symptoms could be observed as early as 24 to 48 hours after birth. It is also possible for the signs to appear later, between day 5 to 10 postpartum.
Premature babies run a lower risk of harsh withdrawal symptoms, as they experienced a shorter drug exposure period. They are also more likely to recover fast from any NAS-related postnatal complications.
Often, the symptoms of NAS could be confused with other common issues, so instead of guessing, you should immediately contact your preferred pediatrician. The sooner your child gets an accurate diagnosis, the lower the risks of long-term impairments.
Complications In NAS Cases
Moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms are the most common consequence of opioid addiction. Other complications are also possible:
- The condition is induced by underdevelopment of the baby’s liver, which causes his skin and eyes to turn yellow
- Decreased uterus growth, which results in low birth weight (the norm being less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces)
- Seizures
- Birth defects
- In the most extreme cases, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is also possible
Though more research is still needed to examine the long-term effects of NAS, some repercussions associated with the disease include:
- Motor problems, due to underdeveloped bones and muscles
- Physical and mental developmental delays
- Dyslexia and other types of speech or cognitive disorders
- Behavioral and educational issues, which may require special needs classes
- Auditory and visual complications
- Insomnia and other sleep-related problems
Treatment Options For NAS Patients
Depending on the specifics of the case, such as the baby’s age, overall health, and seriousness of the addiction, various treatment solutions are available.
For patients with more severe withdrawal symptoms (e.g. seizures), medically assisted therapy is often required. This includes administering of the same class medication as the drug the baby is being treated for. Gradually, as the condition stabilizes, the patient is weaned off the medicine.
If any diarrhea or vomiting is present, the baby will require additional nutrients being injected through an IV. To avoid malnutrition, due to increased bodily movements, it is recommended that the patient receives immune-boosting nutritious meals at frequent intervals.
Ensuring your baby’s comfort should be your top priority when he is combating the symptoms of NAS. Dim lights, feeding on demand, kangaroo care, and swaddling may aid the irritability of your newborn. Exercise extreme patience and stay close to your baby until her condition improves.
Most patients with NAS who receive timely treatment recover within 5 to 30 days post-therapy.
If you are an addict, once you have taken adequate care of your baby, you should prioritize your own recovery. If you are uncertain of where to begin, you can just search Google for therapy near you, e.g. “Postnatal treatment for heroin in Franklin, TN”. It is of utmost importance that you get yourself clean, so you can become fit to be an exemplary parent.
Final Thoughts
Addiction affects not only the substance user herself but also her beloved ones. Babies are extremely vulnerable, and when exposed to drugs in the womb, they are susceptible to a NAS. The condition involves mild to severe withdrawal symptoms and could lead to long-term repercussions, especially when it remains untreated.
