This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
One in 500 babies born drug-dependent, BBC reports
The findings of a freedom of information (FoI) request submitted by the BBC have revealed that hundreds of babies in hospitals in England were born dependent on substances their mother took while pregnant.
The investigation saw that of the 72 NHS hospital trusts who responded to the FoI request, the average rate for babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome was 0.2 per cent. The syndrome is caused by women taking legal and illegal drugs while pregnant.
The investigation examined data from NHS hospital trusts in Northern and English regions between 2011 and 2015. Bedford Hospital was found to have the highest number of babies born addicted to drugs, with 1.38 per cent of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
The data for England shows that there has been a general decline over the past four years, of the number of babies diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Liz Butcher, from Public Health England in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “It is particularly important pregnant women who use drugs get supportive, collaborative care to reduce the risks to the health of their babies.
"Many places in the region have specialist staff and well-established training to make sure that happens."
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