Summary
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is withdrawal that occurs in a newborn who was exposed to opioid, heroin cocaine, hallucinogens and other drugs while in the mother’s womb. The 2017 NAS incidence rate in West Virginia was 51 out of 1000 live births. In the same year one WV county reported 107 cases per 1,000 live births. (WVDHHR 2017 data)
Symptoms may include
Tremors
Seizures
Respiratory problems
Feeding difficulties
Excessive crying
Sensitivity to lights, touch, or sound
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that children born with NAS are more likely than those born without NAS to have:
A disability that effects learning
Developmental delays or speech or language impairment
Lifelong learning challenges
Difficulty self-regulating
How can I help my child now?
On-going care from a health care provider
Use skin to skin contact
Soothe your baby by rubbing his/her back or using a pacifier
Carefully swaddle your baby/toddler
Maintain quiet and calm living conditions
Limit exposure to different people
Care for yourself and reach out for help
Hugs and quiet place for toddlers
Become member of support group or parenting class
What can I do for my child in the long-run?
Work with pediatrician, take child for regular check-ups
Seek family counseling
Advocate for laws that:
- Fund prevention education in schools and work places
- Prevent WV physicians from over prescribing drugs
- Support grant programs that fund treatment and prevention research
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition in a child that results from alcohol exposure during the mother’s pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome causes brain damage and growth problems. The problems caused by fetal alcohol syndrome vary from child to child, but defects caused by fetal alcohol syndrome are not reversible.
Alcohol exposure during the first trimester — perhaps before a woman even knows she is pregnant — can cause major birth defects. Later in the pregnancy, drinking alcohol can cause poor growth and brain damage.
Symptoms may include
Small head
Low birth weight
Small eyes, thin upper lip
Vision or hearing problems
Heart, bones, and/or kidney defects
Behavioral and learning disabilities
Poor memory, judgement, coordination, impulse control
How can I help my child now?
On-going care from a health care provider
Use skin to skin contact
Maintain a safe, stable, loving home environment
Hugs and quiet place for toddlers
Care for yourself and reach out for help
Become member of support group or parenting class
How can I help my child long term?
Work with pediatrician, take child for regular check-ups
Seek family counseling
Advocate for laws that:
- Fund prevention education in schools and work places
- Support interventions for mothers and fathers with alcohol abuse
- Support grant programs that fund treatment and prevention research
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