Be honest to avoid NAS problems

To the editor:
What is Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)?
Neonatal abstinence syndrome or NAS is when a baby is born dependent on legally-prescribed or illegally-obtained substances that were used by the mother during pregnancy. Every hour a baby is born in the U.S. with symptoms of narcotic withdrawal.
The symptoms of NAS include diarrhea and/or vomiting, tremors, slow weight gain, excessive or high pitched crying, fever, blotchy skin, stuffy nose, irritability, poor ability to eat, excessive sucking, rapid breathing, sweating, seizure, hyperactive and sleep problems.
These symptoms can last anywhere from one week to six months and most babies are hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care for two to four weeks.
The cost of treating these babies is estimated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse to be $1.5 billion with 81 percent of those costs being paid for out of state Medicaid funds. The average cost in 2009 to treat a baby with NAS was $53,400.
The use and misuse of medications and illegally obtained substances during pregnancy can have intense short-term and long-term consequences for the baby including learning disabilities and behavioral problems. NAS can occur with opiates, synthetic opiates, alcohol, stimulants, barbiturates, benzodiazepines and anti-depressant medications.
The use of amphetamines during pregnancy can cause Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) and cardiac anomalies. Using cocaine during pregnancy can cause neurological complications, higher chance of premature birth, placental abruption, low birth weight and gastrointestinal anomalies. Heroin can cause low birth weight. There is a correlation between drug exposed infants and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The most abused prescription drugs are as follows:
•Narcotics (usually prescribed for pain relief). Examples: Fentanyl, Vicodin, Oxycodone and morphine.
•Barbiturates (Not very common): Nembutal (Phenobarbital)
•Benzodiazepines (used for anxiety and sleep disorders): Xanax, Valium, Versed, Ativan, Klonopin and Restoril.
•Stimulants (used for narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder): Dexadrine, Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall.
If you are a woman of child-bearing age and think that you might be pregnant, be honest with your physician and/or OB-GYN about all prescription or illegal substances that you may be taking.
Claire Fennig
Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition