Every mother wishes to deliver a healthy baby, but there are certain serious complications affecting the health of the baby. Intake of specific medications can result in a condition called neonatal abstinence syndrome, which results in serious health issues in the newborn. It mainly affects the central nervous system and gastrointestinal system. It may also lead to long-term health problems for your kids. The use of opioids by pregnant women might be the primary reason for NAS. It may also lead to long-term health effects. Continue reading to know in detail about the symptoms, causes and treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome is a severe medical condition for newborns who have exposure to opioids during fetal life. It is a type of withdrawal your baby suffers after birth, leading to serious complications. Babies born with NAS are usually low-weight. They are fussy and irritable and face trouble in feeding and sleeping.
The intake of certain drugs or opioids during pregnancy can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome. Drugs that affect your nervous system pass through your placenta to the baby, affecting their nervous system.
Opioids are the primary cause of neonatal abstinence syndrome. It is also linked with the use of marijuana, cocaine and nicotine cigarettes. The intake of certain painkillers, including Codeine, Tramadol, and Oxycodone, can also cause NAS in newborns. Other drugs that result in NAS are antidepressants, amphetamines, barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
The symptoms of NAS vary based on the type of drug withdrawal of the baby. It also depends on the dosage and exposure. You may start to see early symptoms, including diarrhoea, excessive crying, irritability, tremors and sneezing.
The other neonatal abstinence syndrome symptoms are listed below:
● Vomiting
● Seizures
● Fussiness
● Sleep disturbances
● Poor feeding
● High pitched crying
● Hyper irritability
● Nasal congestion
● Excessive sneezing
● Excessive sucking
● Rapid breathing
● Poor weight gain
● Sweating
● Sensitive to light and sound
The symptoms may be worse with the intake of more than one drug affecting the nervous system during pregnancy.
Neonatal abstinence is a serious condition leading to various health complications for your newborn. The most common Neonatal abstinence syndrome complications are low birth weight, seizures, jaundice and sudden infant death syndrome. NAS may increase the risk of preterm birth, developmental delay, congenital disorder, motor problems and sleep disorder.
In most cases, your newborn may recover within a month. But in some cases, there are chances of long-term health complications in your babies. NAS may result in long-term health challenges, including delay in reaching milestones, problems in muscles and bone movement, growth issues, ear infections, speech issues, learning difficulties, and hearing and vision issues.
The diagnosis is usually based on the type of substance used, which results in withdrawal symptoms. If the substance used is unknown, your doctor performs a toxicological test. This is done by collecting meconium, hair, urine, and cord blood. Your newborn baby will be in observation for a week to assess the condition.
Your baby requires immediate medical treatment when they suffer from strong withdrawal symptoms. They are usually treated in the hospital's NICU. Your doctor offers treatment based on the age, symptoms and health condition of your baby. The following are the treatment options for NAS.
Prescribing drugs as a part of neonatal abstinence syndrome treatment is a preferred choice of doctors. Doctors insist on the intake of neonatal abstinence syndrome medications to reduce the symptoms of NAS. This helps in preventing complications. The most common drugs for treating NAS are buprenorphine, morphine and methadone.
If your baby suffers from dehydration due to NAS, your doctor will give IV fluids to keep your baby hydrated.
Feed your baby with high-calorie formula milk to help them gain weight.
It may be tough and challenging to manage babies with NAS. Your love and care can soothe the baby. The following are the ways to manage your baby with NAS:
● Breastfeed your baby often, this can ease the withdrawal symptoms of your baby.
● Stay with your baby all the time
● Skin-to-skin contact is the best way to soothe your baby
● Wrap your baby so they feel comfortable
● You can offer them a pacifier
● Keep your baby clean
● It is always better to prevent NAS rather than treat it. It is important to inform your doctor about your pregnancy when he/she prescribes medicines. Informing earlier can ensure that the drugs prescribed do not harm the fetus.
● Talk with your healthcare provider when you use drugs like opioids, antidepressants, barbiturates and others when you’re pregnant.
● Pregnant women must not stop the intake of certain drugs immediately as it may cause health issues to the fetus.
● If you are pregnant but make use of substances like opioids, then it is highly recommended to undergo medication-assisted treatment (MAT). It is easy for doctors to treat infants when born to mothers who have undergone MAT.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome is a severe medical condition resulting in various health issues for your newborn. It is mainly due to the intake of drugs or opioids by the mother. You may notice specific withdrawal symptoms of NAS that help you provide the right treatment. Proper medical care reduces the risk of long-term complications for your baby.
NAS is Neonatal Abstinence syndrome that affects the newborn due to the intake of certain drugs by pregnant women. Symptoms of NAS are seizures, low weight gain, poor feeding and diarrhoea. It can also result in long-term effects like speech delays, vision problems, and difficulty sleeping.
Keep your baby in a calm space so that they feel safe. Use a pacifier to soothe their sucking reflexes. Carry your baby to soothe them.
If a baby is born with NAS, it can affect their central nervous system. Some may suffer long-term health issues, including developmental delay, speech issues, vision problems and cognitive issues.
Babies born with NAS need medical care, so they must stay in the hospital for 3 to 4 weeks.
