Withdrawal Syndrome In Babies: Causes, Symptoms And Prevention
Drugs such as amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, diazepam, marijuana, opiates (heroin, methadone, codeine), alcohol, and tobacco cause premature birth and stillbirth. Now, did you know that they can also cause withdrawal symptoms in babies?
During pregnancy, if the mother uses addictive substances (whether prescribed or illegal) this can have serious consequences for both her health and that of the baby. And yes, one of them is the withdrawal syndrome in babies.
Drugs reach the placenta
As the drugs reach the placenta, they pass to the baby and his body begins to get used to them. As a consequence, they can develop the so-called neonatal withdrawal syndrome (SAN).
When it is born, the baby stops receiving the substance to which it was accustomed and for this reason, it can present withdrawal symptoms due to hyperstimulation of the nervous system. It can last a week or even 6 months and can be done with:
- Low weight.
- Sweating
- Irritability.
- Seizures
- Microcephaly
- Congenital defects.
- Heavy breathing
- Sleeping problems.
- Digestive problems (diarrhea, vomiting, etc.).
- Sudden infant death syndrome (in extreme cases).
Diagnosis
Depending on the type of drugs the mother has taken, the doses and the frequency, the symptoms can be more or less severe. However, this does not mean that moderate consumption is approved, far from it. No drug should be taken during pregnancy, for the sake of the baby and the mother herself.
Only a doctor can make the diagnosis. Now, for this, it will be essential that the mother is completely honest about its consumption at the time of the interview. On the other hand, urine tests will also help detect the presence of addictive substances in the body.
To detect withdrawal syndrome in babies, a toxicological test is also performed on the baby’s urine and first stools.
Symptoms are rated on the Finnegan scale (a scoring system used for SANs that awards points based on the severity of the patient. This also helps determine the treatment you will need.
Treatment of withdrawal syndrome in babies
Treatment will also depend largely on the type of drugs (and how much) the mother has used.
In the first week, doctors will monitor the baby’s health, analyze how he sleeps, if he is eating well, if his body works efficiently and if any withdrawal symptoms are observed. They will also assess your weight gain and growth, as well as your muscle density.
With regard to feeding, during treatment the baby is usually given foods with higher caloric content, to compensate for the lack of nutrients.
For his part, the doctor can prescribe some drug (similar to that consumed by the mother during pregnancy) and in controlled amounts and then gradually reduce them, until your body gets used to working without it. This, however, is not necessary in 50% of babies with this disorder.
For the mother, one of the simplest methods of calming a baby with withdrawal syndrome is to provide care; in particular, surround him with a calm atmosphere, speak in his ear and rock him gently.
Alarming numbers on withdrawal syndrome in babies
66% of the children of women who used drugs, alcohol or tobacco during much of their pregnancy or in their last trimester have withdrawal symptoms in babies.
In addition, studies such as that carried out by specialists from the Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry of the University of Seville affirm that in Spain a worrying increase in drug addiction cases in pregnant women has been found. With a prevalence of almost 3% in pregnant women who consume illegal drugs.
In the UK, an estimated 5-10% of deliveries have been to women who have used illegal drugs during pregnancy. Likewise, in Canada, drug abuse during pregnancy increased from 8.4% to 17.2% until 2010.
In the United States, the numbers are just as alarming: the percentage was higher than 7.4% until 2010 in 25-year-old women.
Prevention
Although it seems obvious to emphasize it, the withdrawal syndrome in babies is avoided only by abstaining from drug use during pregnancy.
Finally, it will be essential to carry out an effective awareness campaign so that women (especially pregnant women) know the damages that this practice can cause in their fertility and in the organism of their future baby.
