ANSWER:
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a condition that transpires when a baby withdraws from substances exposed to in the womb. These substances can include prescription medications, illegal drugs, and alcohol. NAS is a growing problem in the United States, where the number of infants born with NAS has quadrupled over the past two decades (The March of Dimes, 2016). The causes of NAS are complex, but one major contributing factor is the increase in prescribing opioids for pain relief. About one-third of all women who give birth in the United States have been prescribed opioids during pregnancy. While some infants with NAS will only experience mild symptoms, others may suffer from seizures, respiratory distress, and feeding problems. NAS can also have long-term effects on an infant’s development and behavior. The bill signed by President Obama aims to help improve the diagnosis and treatment of NAS by providing funding for research and training for healthcare providers. Hopefully, this bill will help reduce the incidence of NAS and improve outcomes for affected infants.
The new bill will provide additional funding to educational resources for adults abusing/using medications. This bill also allows funding for research to help prevent and treat infants with NAS. It is an important development because it will help improve the lives of many people who are struggling with addiction. It is also a crucial step in helping to ensure that babies born addicted to opioids have the best possible chance at a healthy life. The funds provided by this bill will help to create more programs and services that can reach those who need them the most (The March of Dimes, 2016). In addition, it will support vital research that could lead to new and better treatments for addiction. This bill is a critical step forward in addressing the opioid crisis and will make a real difference in the lives of those affected by this disease.
Reference
The March of Dimes. (2016), Protecting Our Infants Act. Retrieved from http://www.marchofdimes.org/advocacy/protecting-our-infants-act-of-2015.aspx
QUESTION:
Although infants and children may not be your primary patient population, the impact of environment and parental health on an infant is great- before and after birth. Review the link in the APA citation for more information on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
President Obama signed a bill while he was in office to help babies suffering from substance abuse, or neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Everyone seems to know or have witnessed an adult with withdrawal from opioids or drug seeking behavior. But how many of you think about the children at home with these adults, or the infants born addicted to medications that they will rapidly withdraw from?
The new bill recently proposed will provide additional funding to educational resources for adults abusing/using medications. This bill also allowed funding for research to help prevent and treat infants with NAS.
Write a note on this using the reference provided below.
Reference
The March of Dimes. (2016), Protecting Our Infants Act. Retrieved from http://www.marchofdimes.org/advocacy/protecting-our-infants-act-of-2015.aspx
