Study finds rise in drug affected newborn babies

A new study has found out that a surge in US infants born with symptoms of withdrawal from heroin or strong prescription painkillers is driven largely by rising drug use among women in rural areas.

The research result showed that the problem in urban and rural areas had climbed from about one in 1,000 births affected in 2004, to almost eight in 1,000 in 2013.

In urban areas, it reached 5 per 1,000 births.

The study, led by University of Michigan researchers, found that, the rates correspond with women's use of opioid drugs during pregnancy, including the use or misuse of oxycodone and other prescription opioid painkillers, and use of illegal narcotics.

The study showed that newborn babies whose mothers use these drugs during pregnancy are at risk of seizures, excessive crying, problems with breathing, sleeping and feeding and other withdrawal symptoms.

The study also found that about 21 per cent of US newborns with withdrawal symptoms in 2013 were from rural counties, up from 13 per cent in 2004.

Earlier studies also found an increase nationwide, and other data shows rural areas have been hard hit by the US opioid epidemic.

Researcher said the study shows and require urgent need for more programs to make it easier for women in rural areas to obtain prevention services and treatment for addiction.

Lindsey Tanner Associated Press