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)

Prevention Related Standards

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

WVDE Disclaimer

Please Note: Links to resources outside the West Virginia Department of Education’s website do not constitute an endorsement by the WVDE. Users should vet linked resources to meet audience needs.