Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome refers to a broad range of signs and symptoms in infants experiencing withdrawal from substances they were exposed to in the womb. An infant with NAS is born every 24 minutes in the United States. Babies born with NAS experience both short- and long-term effects, but additional research is necessary to fully understand the long-term impacts.
Symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome include:
The most important thing to do for a child with NAS is to provide comfort and a stable, nurturing environment.
Prenatal cannabis exposure is growing more concerning as research begins to document concerns. Caution is deserving as more will be revealed in further scientific studies.
Cannabis consumption during pregnancy can impact the baby:
*Can also promote still birth
Cannabis may pass through the breast milk, continuing to impact brain development, as well as milk production. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that breastfeeding mothers stay away from marijuana to help keep breast milk safe and healthy.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual prenatally exposed to alcohol. Recent studies suggest that 1-5% of children in the United States may have an FASD. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis.
FASD is the leading known cause of developmental disabilities that is 100% preventable. It’s important to note that there is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant.
Physical Issues:
Which Leads to:
Which Can lead to Issues with:
Remember, each child with FASD is unique.
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