The number of infants suffering from drug-related affects after birth has increased nearly 45 percent in the past 15 years, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. What are the options to helping those children exposed to drugs while in the womb?
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A new and tragic twist to the problem of prescription drug abuse is affecting the lives and health of what could be considered the youngest victims – babies who are born already addicted to opiate drugs, or prescription pain killers. According to recent research, the level of newborn babies born with prescription drug abuse addiction problems is 40 times greater than the 1980’s level. Experts believe babies born with prescription drug addictions will not only battle withdrawal, but may be more likely to also face abuse or neglect.
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Despite widespread media and educational efforts to spread awareness of the dangers of alcohol consumption for expectant and breastfeeding mothers, a recent survey in Australia reveals that one-third of new mothers are still drinking alcohol.
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In Cambodia, many expectant mothers turn to chewing tobacco to cure morning sickness, but the World Health Organization warns that this can lead to addiction, and that chewing tobacco poses the same health risks for both mother and baby as smoking cigarettes.
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A new research study suggests that maternal smoking may increase the level of distress in newborns. The research was published in the October 15th issue of Biological Psychiatry.
Read more about Maternal Smoking Can Increase Level of Discomfort in Newborns