Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a group of symptoms suffered by a baby dependent on drugs (due to mother). The drug dependency of an infant makes this problem havoc for the infants. Approximately every medicine or drug parent intakes during the pregnancy period her’s get transferred to the unborn baby through the mother’s blood. This makes the infant baby get addicted to the drug her mother intakes. In cases when a mother takes narcotics or other such addictives, the unborn baby will be addicted to the same even after the birth.
Since after the birth, the drugs which were available to him in the pregnancy period, will not be available now and so his need would not be satisfied anymore because he is now addicted to the stuff he was intaking while in pregnancy period. This will lead to his disorder in the central nervous system and hence there will be stimulation in the baby’s central nervous system and gastrointestinal system because of the nontrespassing of the drug supply as it was before.
Opiates and cocaine are the major drugs that lead to this problem. Some more such types of drugs are amphetamine, alcohol, ethanol, Diphenhydramine, Chlordiazepoxide, SSRIs, Marijuana, etc. different types of opiates and narcotics are meperidine, heroin, codeine, and morphine. Neonatal abstinence syndrome can be classified into two-prenatal Neonatal abstinence syndrome and postnatal Neonatal abstinence syndrome Prenatal Neonatal abstinence syndrome refers to the symptoms in the baby before his birth, that is, when the baby intakes the drugs supplied to him via mother. All that his mother takes into her get fed to the unborn baby as well through her blood.
This condition of the infant baby is known as prenatal Neonatal abstinence syndrome. While postnatal Neonatal abstinence syndrome refers to the condition of the baby after birth. This implies the conditions suffered by the baby when his supply of drugs is cut off.
This affects severely the baby’s health. Traditionally, Neonatal abstinence syndrome was used to describe the withdrawal of opioids but now this definition has been changed and expanded to other drugs as well, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and alcohol. SSRIs are used to treat depression and other behavioral disorders. Babies affected by the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during the last pregnancy period may exhibit Neonatal abstinence syndrome. All this is manifested as the central nervous system, motor, respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Different studies have demonstrated that smoking cigarette during the pregnancy period increases the hazard of having a low birth weight baby. Neonatal abstinence syndrome born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy on an average weighs 175-275 grams less at birth than Neonatal abstinence syndrome born to mothers who do not smoke during pregnancy. Research demonstrates that babies of mothers get affected by nicotine outtake those who all smoke during their pregnancy period theirs. Babies who have been addicted to tobacco are found to be more impulsive and have asceticism signs.
The drug opiates produce the most striking effects on the mother and baby. Other than the withdrawal symptoms, common findings in babies addicted to opiates have low birth weight, maturity before the actual time, and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).
Methadone is used to treat heroin addiction. Its effect on the unborn baby is very much similar to the effects of heroin. Methadone’s half-life is longer than 24 hours, and acute withdrawal occurs within the first 48 hours after birth and up to 7-14 days later. Neonatal abstinence syndrome affected one face an increased risk of behavioral disorder and an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Thrombocytosis develops in the 2nd week of life and will go on for 4 months.
Other stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines are strong vasoconstrictors that excite the free and obstruct the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. The stimulant cocaine alters the major neurotransmitters and passes the placenta. Research studies demonstrate that cocaine-exposed Neonatal abstinence syndrome infants have a hyperactive Moro reflex, jitteriness, and excessive sucking. Recent studies do not conclude that Neonatal abstinence syndrome infants who have been addicted to cocaine differ behaviorally from unexposed infants
Methylxanthine accumulates in the blood of breastfed babies whose mothers use caffeine substances often. Nicotine is transferred via the placenta and can reach concentrations 15% higher than maternal levels. In utero exposure impairs Neonatal abstinence syndrome affected infants habituation, orientation, autonomic regulation, and orientation to sound. Exposure also affects the infant’s ability to be comforted and is associated with exaggerated startle reflex and tremor.
No evidence exists for withdrawal problems associated with maternal use of marijuana during pregnancy. Exposure to marijuana may lead to hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, sepsis, hypoxic encephalopathy, intracranial hemorrhage, and jitteriness. Effects on the fetus are dose-dependent, with evidence of IUGR in cases of heavier usage. Neonates exposed to marijuana while in utero may also exhibit signs of nicotine toxicity, such as tachycardia, poor perfusion, irritability, and poor feeding. Growth inhibition is pronounced at birth and affects weight, length, and head circumference. Catch-up growth occurs within the first year in each growth category. Cognitive effects may persist to school age. However, withdrawal symptoms are not noted in neonates. Extended follow-up does not show any effect in children aged 5-6 years.
Mothers and babies exposed to drugs maintain to challenge mother and baby health care. The mother who abuses drugs has multifaceted high resistance to change. Usage of the drug will be venerable. Though cocaine is a drug of choice, there is often polydrug abuse, complicating the assessment of the newborn who may be suffering from an overall unstable intrauterine environment due to poor general health and lack of nutrition, inadequate prenatal care, and risk of exposure to contaminants from street drugs and of infection, including Hepatitis B and HIV. Infants must be thoroughly assessed and treated as any newborn at risk.
Drug screening and child welfare issues are discussed. Hepatitis B immunization is recommended. Ongoing assessment of the infant and intervention techniques is described. Since many drug-exposed infants go home with their mothers, an integrated plan of care for mother and infant may contribute to a therapeutic relationship, facilitate maternal attachment behaviors, and motivate maternal rehabilitation. For nurses caring for these demanding families, burnout prevention and self-care strategies are discussed.
According to my, this Neonatal abstinence syndrome affects very badly an infant. The whole of his life gets affected due to this syndrome making his life a hell to live. It’s a very pathetic case, for the infant is innocent and has nothing to do with the drug and is still suffering from this threatening. This is a curse for them as for no sin of theirs they are suffering. I think the mother should take care of the infant in a very caring way. Aren’t they the ones to take care of them? When I read the stuff related to Neonatal abstinence syndrome, I was totally depressed about how the caretakers are.