What causes neonatal abstinence syndrome?
NAS may occur when a pregnant woman takes 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 dependent on the drug along with the mother.
Are all babies born with NAS?
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a withdrawal syndrome that can occur in newborns exposed to certain substances, including opioids, during pregnancy. A new CDC article looked at laws enacted in six states that make health departments or hospitals report all babies born with NAS for public health monitoring.
How long do NAS symptoms last?
How long does NAS last? A. Symptoms related to NAS can last from one week to six months. Most frequently babies are hospitalized for two to four weeks.
What medications cause neonatal abstinence syndrome?
What causes neonatal abstinence syndrome?
- Opioids like heroin and prescribed medicines such as codeine and oxycodone.
- Stimulants such as amphetamines or cocaine.
- Antidepressant medicines such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Depressants such as barbiturates, or alcohol, or marijuana.
How can abstinence syndrome be prevented?
Can NAS Be Prevented? If you’re pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, the best way to prevent NAS is to not use drugs. If you take drugs and are planning to get pregnant, use birth control during sex until you quit the drug. This will help give you time to get off of any drugs that could harm a baby.
Who is at risk for neonatal abstinence syndrome?
Most babies with NAS who get treatment get better in 5 to 30 days. During treatment, your baby may be fussy and hard to soothe.
Can my doctor test my blood for drugs without telling me?
Do you know that when you walk into an emergency department, your doctor may run a test for illicit-drug use without telling you? Yes, this is something we can and often do. And in many cases, it’s done for a good reason. Suppose you come in acting confused or excessively sleepy.
What causes a baby to go into abstinence syndrome?
What is neonatal abstinence syndrome? Neonatal abstinence syndrome (also called NAS) is a group of conditions caused when a baby withdraws from certain drugs he’s exposed to in the womb before birth. NAS is most often caused when a woman takes drugs called opioids during pregnancy.
Can a drug withdrawal cause neonatal abstinence syndrome?
However, since the drug is no longer available, your baby’s central nervous system becomes overstimulated causing the symptoms of withdrawal. Some drugs are more likely to cause NAS than others, but nearly all have some effect on your baby.
What causes fetal alcohol syndrome ( NAS ) in babies?
Other drugs, such as amphetamines, barbiturates and narcotics can also cause withdrawal. Alcohol use causes withdrawal in your baby, as well as a group of problems including birth defects called fetal alcohol syndrome. Why is neonatal abstinence syndrome a concern?
Who are the authors of neonatal abstinence syndrome?
Jean Y. Ko, PhD 1; Stephen W. Patrick, MD 2; Van T. Tong, MPH 1; Roshni Patel, MPH 1; Jennifer N. Lind, PharmD 3; Wanda D. Barfield, MD 1 ( View author affiliations) What is already known about this topic? Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a postnatal drug withdrawal syndrome in newborns caused primarily by in utero exposure to opioids.