Babies exposed to narcotics through their mothers' legal prescriptions during pregnancy are more likely to be diagnosed with NAS (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome). A study of over 112,000 pregnant mothers in Tennessee found that over 31,000 had been prescribed opiate pain relievers, and 65% of babies diagnosed with NAS were exposed to these prescriptions. Factors like longer opiate usage, type and amount of opiate, and smoking increased NAS risk. Mothers using opiates also had higher rates of anxiety, depression, migraines and musculoskeletal diseases. The researcher noted this study looked at legal prescriptions rather than illicit drugs, highlighting the issue of overprescription.

1. Are babies who are exposed to narcotics more likely to be
diagnosed with NAS?
Bringing a child into the world is an experience like no other. It is an experience marked with joy,
excitement, and hope. However, it can also be a time of worry and fear. According to the Vanderbilt
University Medical Center, there have been reports of women who have commonly been prescribed
narcotic pain relievers. This has put babies at an elevated risk of developing NAS (Neonatal Abstinence
Syndrome).
Researchers studied 3 years of data from TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid Program. They accessed
records of over 112,000 pregnant mothers. Over 31,000 of these mothers were shown to have been
prescribed an opiate pain reliever. Of the babies that developed Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, 65% of
the infants' mothers had legally filled prescriptions for the potent painkiller.
Lead author Stephen Patrick, assistant professor of Pediatrics and Health Policy in the Division of
Neonatology with the Monroe Carell J. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, found that babies that were
exposed to opiate painkillers were likely to be born premature, have low birth weight, and have medical
complications. Patrick does stress that not all babies who have been exposed to opiates have
experienced Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (reasons are unknown). Patrick's study did find that several
factors increased an infant's risk of developing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome:
 Duration of mother's opiate usage.
 The type of opiate being prescribed.
 The amount of tobacco the mother smoked.
 If the mother took SSRI anti-depressant medication.
When compared to women who have not had exposure to opiates, the expectant mother who has taken
opiates were likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. They were likely to suffer from migraines and
have a musculoskeletal disease.
Patrick stated the following about his findings:
"Historically, drug withdrawal for newborns has been described among illicit drug use such as heroin or
women treated for previous opiate abuse, but this is really one of the first studies to look at legal

2. prescriptions for pregnant women. And it draws attention to what is going on in our nation."
It has been estimated that over 250 million prescriptions were written for opiate painkillers in 2012.
Opiates are derived from opium which comes from a poppy plant. They go by a variety of names,
including:
 Opiates
 Opioids
 Narcotics
Because opiates produce a euphoric and relaxed effect, it is a drug that can be highly addictive. Opiate
use in high doses can put the user at a high risk for experiencing a cardiac arrest and even death. The
longer an individual uses opiate painkillers, the harder it is to come off of them. When an individual does
come off of opiates, the withdrawal symptoms can be quite uncomfortable.
Some of these withdrawal symptoms include:
 Runny nose
 Lack of energy
 Yawning
 Muscle pain
 Stomach cramping
 Nausea
 Agitation
If you, or someone you know, may be suffering from an opiate addiction, it is recommended that you
contact an opiate addiction treatment center immediately. These opiate addiction treatment centers
can provide you with the help you need in order to come off of opiates.
Contact your local opiate addiction treatment center today.
References
Addictions and Recovery (2015) Opiates (Narcotics): Addiction, Withdrawal and Recovery.
http://www.drugaddictsupport.com/opiate-addiction-abuse/