In the 1980s doctors were identifying "crack babies," infants who had been affected by their mothers' use of cocaine during pregnancy. Today's doctors are seeing more babies that have been affected by their mothers' prenatal abuse of prescription painkillers.
- Symptoms experienced by the infants include stiff arms and legs, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, and incessant crying, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
- Babies often have to go through withdrawal from these drugs, which can take three weeks to two months. Some doctors give the babies doses of morphine to ease their symptoms.
"We are seeing oxycodone, Vicodin, methadone and a lot of Xanax," said Dr. Mary Newport, medical director of Spring Hill Regional Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. "I'm amazed at the number of girls on antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, even during pregnancy."
Treatment centers report admitting more pregnant women with addictions to prescription painkillers, and many of the women are in their teens or 20s.
Labels: infants, mothers, pregnancy, prescription_drugs
Posted By: By Parents For Parents