Overview of Substance Exposed Newborns

Data and Trend Overview

National Scope

• Annually 400,000 – 440,000 infants are born substance exposed (10-11% of total births)

• Substance use causes a wide spectrum of difficulties – Perinatal– Birth– Infancy– Early childhood development

History

• 1990’s reflected the “crack” epidemic.• Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome was not yet

clearly defined/understood throughout the human services community.

• Dr. Ira Chasnoff completed one of the first longevity studies.

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and FAE (now FASD) not recognized broadly for its damaging effects.

Scope of the Problem - Florida• 2007 - 2012 an escalating trend of narcotics use

began to emerge – Pill Mills, Methadone Maintenance, increased of use of hydrocodone, opiates/opioids.

• Stabilization of endocrine system in women of reproductive age through opioid management increases pregnancy potential.

• Aggressive state and municipality action resulted in reduction of Pill Mill activities.

• Consequently, street narcotics use increased.

Deaths, Sales, Treatment Admissions

State of Florida Rates vs. Treatment Capacity

• Insert Map

Number of Newborns Diagnosed Annually from 2007 - 2011

 

 

Year# of Newborns

Diagnosed

# of LiveBirths

2011 2,019 213,2372010 1,673 214,5192009 2,196 221,3912008 1,492 231,4172007 640 239,120

Total 8,020 1,097,590

Rates of Florida Newborns with NAS

Figure 1: Rates of Florida Newborns Diagnosed with Selected Fetal/Newborn Drug Exposure 

Broward County

• Newborn Patient Discharges from 2007-2011 reviewed by State Attorney Generals Task Force.

Total Births NAS

Broward 86,044 311

Florida 880,564 7,380

Rate 9.7% 4.2%

Moving Forward

• Prevention – Awareness Campaigns • Screening – 4 P’s• Assessment - Biopsychosocial • Intervention – prenatal, birth, interconception• Follow-up of infants and toddlers• Best Practices – Safe Baby Court Teams• Staff Development• Key Stakeholder Coordination

Let’s work together to keep them ALL safe, healthy, and happy!

Thank You!