Even a glance at neonatal abstinence syndrome statistics will reveal just how heartbreaking this condition is. There are a number of significant facts and figures that follow even the most basic definition of this condition, which also goes by the name NAS.
In order to enhance your appreciation of neonatal abstinence syndrome statistics, however, it is important to have the most detailed description possible of the condition itself.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Stats
There is a great deal of compelling information to be found on the subject of neonatal abstinence syndrome statistics. Again, you’ll want to begin with a basic understanding of the condition, which is not difficult to obtain and comprehend.
From there, you will be in a much better position to absorb all of the facts and figures that surround NAS stats:
1. Simply put, neonatal abstinence syndrome is an assortment problems that occur in a newborn. These problems occur because the newborn was exposed to opiate drugs while it was in the womb of its mother.
2. Some of the opiate drugs that can cause NAS include heroin, codeine, methadone, oxycodone, and buprenorphine.
3. When these drugs are absorbed by the mother, they are passed on through the placenta to the unborn child. Through this process, the child becomes as addicted as the mother is.
4. Addiction for the baby continues after they are born. Unfortunately, because the child is no longer getting the drugs they were getting before, they begin to go through withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms can be realized in a variety of ways.
5. Opiates and narcotics are not the only things that can lead to addiction and withdrawal for an infant. Alcohol, nicotine, barbiturates, amphetamines, coke, and marijuana can all potentially create a variety of health problems for an infant after they are born. However, research is still being done on this matter. Also, it is important to note that none of those drugs are connected to neonatal abstinence syndrome.
These are some of the basics of neonatal abstinence syndrome. As you have probably figured out at this point, the condition is an extreme serious one. However, it is also important to note that the severity of the condition can vary from one infant to the next. A number of factors influence this fact.
There are a number of other components that must be understood, concerning the subject of neonatal abstinence syndrome. As you continue to study this medical occurrence, there are a number of other facts and figures that should be kept in mind:
1. As mentioned before, a number of factors drive not only the severity of the symptoms, but the specific symptoms themselves, as well. These influencers include the type of drug or drugs that were used by the mother, how that person’s body breaks down things like drugs, how much of the drug was being taken, how long the drug or drugs were used, and when the baby was born. Whether the baby was born premature or full-term can play a very significant role in how they may experience neonatal abstinence syndrome.
2. Between the years 2000 and 2009, the frequency of antepartum maternal opiate use rose from 1.19 to 5.63 per one thousand births.
3. Because of the figure mentioned above, the number of NAS incidents has climbed from 1.20 to 3.39. This was also between 2000 and 2009.
4. Symptoms of NAS are numerous, and they are capable of appearing within one to three days after the child is born. These symptoms can include blotchy skin, intense crying, fevers, poor feeding habits, irritability, sweatiness, seizures, issues with sleeping, hyper-active reflexes, and much more.
5. There is a scoring system used to determine whether or not a child has neonatal abstinence syndrome. This scoring system assigns a point value built around each symptom and its intensity. Urine testing and toxicology screenings are additional possibilities.
6. In particularly bad cases, methadone or morphine may be used to wean the child off the drug or drugs they are addicted to. Special care may also be given to how the child is calmed, held, and fed.
7. Thirty-one percent of NAS infants have respiratory/breathing problems.
8. On average, an NAS infant remains in the hospital for 16 days after birth.
About NAS
If you’ve never heard of neonatal abstinence syndrome before, you’re going to find that it is a fairly straightforward concept. It is fairly easy to grasp the basics of this condition, and then apply your understanding to the importance of the various NAS statistics you’re going to come across.
As with any condition as serious as neonatal abstinence syndrome, the more information you have, the better off you’re going to be. This is as true for those who are concerned about something pertaining to their own life, as it is for those who are simply curious about the condition for one reason or another.