The Journal of American Medical Association released a report lately stating that in 2009 3.4 out of every 1,000 babies born suffered from withdrawals from a prescription painkiller. This number of incidences of mothers using opiates during pregnancy from 2000-2009 has increased five fold. Statistics reveal that every hour, a baby is born with an addiction.

Babies addicted to painkillers suffer from withdraws known as neonatal abstinence syndrome. Nurses and doctors can identify them because they cry a lot and are not easily comforted. They suffer from stiff muscles that do not relax. They are prone to tremors, breathing issues, and seizures. It is not easy for these babies to take a bottle and often resist it all together. They are also known to throw up a lot and have bouts of diarrhea.

Most of the mothers say they had no idea that prescription medication had a risk of harm. Some claimed that the idea that doctors give them out and that they are technically legal made them feel it was safe to consume them during pregnancy. Other instances involve mothers who were addicted prior to becoming pregnant and cannot quit.

Babies born with this condition have a lower rate of survival than healthy babies. Doctors often decide to give the suffering babies methadone to help with the harshness of withdrawal. They slowly reduce the dosages to prevent sudden withdrawal symptoms.

Author Information: RTPR.com

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