Increase Awareness of the Risks of Opioid Use & NAS for Mothers with SUDs
Return to ZOOM MAP - Expand Steps to Minimize Opioid Use During Pregnancy or Pregnancy during Opioid Use
Contents
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There is a need to Improve Identifying and Data Collection on NAS
Background
Overview
Opioid use during pregnancy can affect women and their babies. Women may use opioids as prescribed, may misuse prescription opioids, may use illicit opioids such as heroin, or may use opioids (opioid agonists and/or antagonists) as part of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Regardless of the reason, women who use opioids during pregnancy should be aware of the possible risks during pregnancy, as well as her potential treatment options for opioid use disorder.
Opioid Use During Pregnancy
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
Opioid use and medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder during pregnancy can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in some newborns. NAS is a group of conditions that can occur when newborns withdraw from certain substances including opioids that they were exposed to before birth. Withdrawal caused by opioids during the first 28 days of life is sometimes also called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Withdrawal symptoms in newborns usually occur 48–72 hours after birth. Drug withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Tremors (trembling)
- Irritability, including excessive or high-pitched crying
- Sleep problems
- Hyperactive reflexes
- Seizures
- Yawning, stuffy nose, or sneezing
- Poor feeding and sucking
- Vomiting
- Loose stools and dehydration
- Increased sweating
The symptoms a newborn might experience, and how severe the symptoms will be, depend on different factors. Some factors include the type and amount of substance the newborn was exposed to before birth, the last time a substance was used, whether the baby is born full-term or premature, and if the newborn was exposed to more than one substance before birth.
Tools & Resources
TR - Increase Awareness of the Risks of Opioid Use & NAS
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