According to a recent study, the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) increased threefold in the US between 2000 and 2009. NAS occurs in babies who have been exposed to prescription drugs during pregnancy. Illegal prescription drug use continues to plague many communities throughout the country, and drugs like heroin, morphine, codeine and Oxycontin were found in mothers getting ready to deliver at five times the rate during this same time frame.
NAS can cause tremors, seizures, respiratory distress, and general irritability. The cost of treating these infants has increased 35 percent, from an average $34,900 to $53,400.
As more pharmaceutical companies push doctors to push more drugs, there are those who will find this glut of easy to come by opiates to either ingest themselves or sell to addicts.
While many drugs have done amazing things for the betterment of our species, we cannot deny that the downside of addiction – or side effects – is costing us dearly. Not only in monetary terms, but in needing to treat the youngest patients, and one is born every hour addicted to prescription medication.
One thing that has been done is to treat mothers who use opiates with buprenorphine. Researchers say this drug, which used methodone, is better than traditional treatments. In 2010, a study showed newborns whose mothers were treated with bupreonorphine required nearly 90 percent less morphine, and spent over 40 percent less time in the hospital. This is a win for all of us, especially the children born addicted to drugs.
If you or a loved one is in need of a pharmaceutical liability attorney, please contact one in your area today.