American Academy of Paediatrics brings out new guidelines to address Opioid-abuse among pregnant women

• Increase in Opioid-use including heroin and fentanyl during pregnancy 
• American Academy of Paediatrics issues new guidelines for opioid medication. 
• Newborns of women who did opioid-abuse during pregnancy experience tremors, fussiness, and diarrhea

THD NewsDesk, USA: According to the latest statistics of the U.S. federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7% of U.S. women reportedly used prescription Opioids during pregnancy. Out of this, 5% of women admitted to misusing the drugs during their pregnancy. The increase in Opioid-abuse among pregnant women has spurred the American Academy of Pediatrics to issue new guidelines regarding Opioid medication. The guidelines released on October 26 also aspire to boost care for newborns affected by their mothers’ drug use.

The Academy’s report suggests opioid medication should be made available to them, and the stigma attached to using them should be discarded. Opioids effective for treatment include:

• Buprenorphine
• Methadone
• Heroin
• Fentanyl

The report suggests that hospitals should come up with protocols for diagnosing and treating opioid-affected newborns. According to U.S. statistics, on an average, 80 affected infants are with withdrawal symptoms of Opioid like tremors, fussiness, and diarrhea daily. Unfortunately, the numbers have increased multifold in the past few years.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Stephen Patrick, a Vanderbilt University pediatrician, said,

“This is a substantial public health problem that is still lacking solutions.”

“While we have been talking about the opioid crisis for years, pregnant women and their newborns seldom make it to the top of the heap. Infants are receiving variable care and not getting connected to services,” he added. 

However, the study notes that developmental delays could result from alcohol and drug abuse other than opioids during pregnancy and inadequate prenatal care. 

Considering the overflow of cases during the pandemic, experts worry the affected women and infants would probably encounter more difficulties accessing effective treatment. Recommendations of various other medical groups of the U.S. reflect in the report that prioritizes parent-child bonding practices. Under it, the study recommended breastfeeding and parent education for the proper nurturing of the child. Further, Dr. Patrick highlighted the need for referral services for the treatment of affected newborns. 

Source: The Durango Herald