Joy Voss 
EDSP 460 
Babies Exposed to Drugs 
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
•	Causes
      Neonatal abstinence syndrome occurs because a pregnant woman takes opiate or narcotic drugs such as heroin, codeine, oxycodone (Oxycontin) methadone or buprenorphine.

      These and other substances pass through the placenta that connects the baby to its mother in the womb. The baby becomes addicted along with the mother.

       At birth, the baby is still dependent on the drug. Because the baby is no longer getting the drug after birth, symptoms of withdrawal may occur.

Alcohol and other drugs use during pregnancy can also cause problems in the baby.
      Babies of mothers who use other addictive drugs (nicotine, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, marijuana,) may have long-term problems. However, there is no clear evidence of a neonatal abstinence syndrome for these drugs.

Symptoms depend on…
The symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome depend on:
•	The type of drug the mother used
•	How the body breaks down the drug
•	How much of the drug she was taking
•	How long she used the drug
•	Whether the baby was born full-term or early (premature)

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Symptoms often begin within 1 - 3 days after birth, but may take up to a week to appear. Symptoms may include:

•	Blotchy skin coloring (mottling)
•	Diarrhea
•	Excessive crying or high-pitched crying
•	Excessive sucking
•	Fever
•	Hyperactive reflexes
•	Increased muscle tone
•	Irritability
•	Poor feeding
•	Rapid breathing
•	Seizures
•	Sleep problems
•	Slow weight gain
•	Stuffy nose, sneezing
•	Sweating
•	Trembling (tremors)
•	Vomiting

Struggles of Drug Addicted Babies

The Dr’s  explain….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c07RnhNYsPk&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecs