
Substance abuse during pregnancy can have severe consequences for the newborn, who may be born addicted to the substance and experience withdrawal symptoms. This condition is known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and can occur when a pregnant woman takes opioid drugs, antidepressants, or other addictive substances that pass through the placenta to the baby. The baby becomes dependent on the substance, and withdrawal symptoms can include excessive crying, poor feeding, hyperactive reflexes, and slow weight gain. In addition to the immediate effects of NAS, newborns exposed to substances in utero may also suffer long-term health issues such as failure to thrive, brain damage, and intestinal problems. They are also at a higher risk of developing conditions such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and are more likely to experience developmental delays and behavioural issues.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Occurrence | One newborn diagnosed with NAS every 25 minutes, or 2 to 7 newborns out of every 1,000 births |
Symptoms | Crying that is excessive and/or high-pitched, poor feeding, slow weight gain, stuffy nose, sneezing, hyperactive reflexes, increased muscle tone, trembling, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, skin has a blotchy, marbled pattern (mottling) |
Treatment | Medicines such as methadone or morphine to treat withdrawal symptoms, fluids through an IV, cream or ointment to soothe diaper rash and skin irritation, smaller feedings with a high-calorie formula |
Duration of Treatment | 5 days to 6 months |
Long-term Effects | Developmental delays, behavioral issues in school, problems with short-term memory, difficulty gaining weight, hearing and vision problems, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder |
What You'll Learn
- Newborns exposed to opioids in utero may develop neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
- NAS symptoms include excessive crying, poor feeding, and hyperactive reflexes
- Substance use during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or premature labour
- Babies born addicted to drugs may develop fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
- Long-term effects of prenatal drug exposure include behavioural issues, intellectual disabilities, and learning disabilities
Newborns exposed to opioids in utero may develop neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a group of conditions that arise when a baby withdraws from exposure to certain drugs—most often opioids—in the womb before birth. When a pregnant woman takes opioids, they pass through the placenta to the baby, who then becomes dependent on the drug. After birth, the baby is no longer exposed to the drug and must go through withdrawal.
NAS can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Excessive crying or high-pitched crying
- Poor feeding, slow weight gain
- Stuffed nose, sneezing
- Tremors, seizures, hyperactive reflexes, increased muscle tone
- Fever, sweating, or blotchy skin
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Breathing problems
- Sleep issues and yawning
NAS can have serious health consequences for newborns, including:
- Low birth weight
- Jaundice
- Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Developmental delays
- Motor problems
- Behaviour and learning problems
- Speech and language issues
Treatment for NAS may include:
- Medication to manage withdrawal symptoms, such as methadone or morphine
- Intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration
- Higher-calorie feedings to promote growth
- Skin-to-skin contact and swaddling to provide comfort and reduce irritability
NAS is preventable if the mother stops using drugs before or during pregnancy under medical supervision. However, quitting cold turkey can also cause severe problems for the baby, so it is important to seek treatment.
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NAS symptoms include excessive crying, poor feeding, and hyperactive reflexes
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a group of conditions that arise when a newborn is exposed to certain drugs, most commonly opioids, in the womb before birth. The placenta connects the baby to its mother in the womb, and almost every drug that the mother uses passes to the baby through the placenta. As a result, the baby becomes dependent on the drug, and withdrawal symptoms may occur after birth when the supply is cut off.
NAS symptoms can vary but typically include excessive crying, poor feeding, and hyperactive reflexes. Excessive crying can manifest as a high-pitched cry, while poor feeding can lead to slow weight gain. Hyperactive reflexes refer to an increased or overactive reflex response in the skeletal muscles, which can be caused by neurological conditions or anxiety and hyperthyroidism.
Other symptoms of NAS include stuffy nose, sneezing, tremors, seizures, and blotchy skin. These symptoms can vary in severity and typically appear within 1 to 3 days after birth but may take up to a week to manifest. Due to the potential severity of symptoms, newborns with NAS often require hospitalisation for observation and monitoring for up to a week or longer.
NAS can lead to long-term health and developmental issues, including hearing and vision problems, learning difficulties, and behavioural problems. It is important to note that newborns with NAS may require specialised care and treatment to manage their withdrawal symptoms and support their overall health and development.
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Substance use during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or premature labour
Substance use during pregnancy can have severe health consequences for infants and can lead to miscarriage or premature labour. Many substances pass through the placenta, so anything that a pregnant woman consumes will also reach the fetus.
Miscarriage can be caused by alcohol, cocaine, and dextroamphetamine use during pregnancy. Alcohol use during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborn death. Cocaine use can lead to spontaneous miscarriage and premature detachment of the placenta. Dextroamphetamine use can also cause miscarriage and preterm birth.
Substance use during pregnancy can also lead to premature labour. Smoking tobacco, using cocaine, and using methamphetamine are all associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. Additionally, cocaine use can lead to premature rupture of membranes and placental abruption, which is the separation of the placental lining from the uterus.
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Babies born addicted to drugs may develop fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
Substance use during pregnancy can be dangerous and may negatively impact fetal development. Alcohol use during pregnancy is associated with impaired fetal growth, birth defects, and long-term impacts on growth. It may cause a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in the baby.
FASD refers to the wide range of physical, behavioral, and cognitive impairments that occur due to alcohol exposure before birth. These impairments may appear at any time during childhood and last a lifetime. The most severe type of FASD is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
Possible Physical Consequences of FASDs
- Abnormal facial features
- Problems with vision or hearing
- Shorter-than-average height
- Problems with sleep and sucking as a baby
- Heart, kidney, or bone problems
Potential Psychiatric and Social Issues Include:
- Memory and attention problems
- Intellectual disability or low IQ
- Delays in speech and language
- Learning disabilities and difficulty in school
- Poor judgment and reasoning skills
Babies exposed to drugs in utero may experience developmental consequences, including impaired growth, birth defects, and altered brain development. Prenatal drug exposure may impact the child's behavior, language, cognition, and achievement long-term.
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Long-term effects of prenatal drug exposure include behavioural issues, intellectual disabilities, and learning disabilities
Behavioural issues
Prenatal drug exposure can cause behavioural issues in children, including hyperactivity, aggression, and delinquent behaviour. These issues can persist into adulthood, with some studies showing that children exposed to drugs in the womb are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour and substance abuse.
Intellectual disabilities
Prenatal drug exposure can also cause intellectual disabilities, such as low IQ and memory and attention problems.
Learning disabilities
Finally, prenatal drug exposure can cause learning disabilities, including problems with language development and academic achievement.
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Frequently asked questions
NAS is a group of conditions caused when a baby withdraws from certain drugs (most often opioids) they were exposed to in the womb before birth.
Symptoms of NAS include:
- Excessive and/or high-pitched crying
- Slow weight gain due to poor feeding
- Hyperactive reflexes
- Tremors, seizures, and body shakes
- Fever, sweating, or blotchy skin
- Trouble sleeping
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Stuffy nose or sneezing
Long-term effects of NAS include:
- Developmental delays
- Motor problems
- Behaviour and learning problems
- Speech and language problems
- Hearing and vision problems
If you are pregnant and using any drugs that can cause NAS, it is important to tell your healthcare provider right away. Do not stop taking the drug without first getting treatment from your provider, as quitting suddenly can cause severe problems for your baby, including death.