Born Addicted Babies Research Paper

“The University of Michigan study estimates that one baby is born addicted to some sort of opiate every hour in the U.S. and that 13,539 babies are born with NAS [Neo-Natal Abstinence Syndrome] each year.” (www.narconon.com). NAS is a condition that results when mothers use opiate based painkillers or other sorts of opiates during pregnancy and the child becomes addicted in utero, is born. Babies are innocent victims of addiction. The effects these babies have to suffer through can follow them throughout their lives. There is a series of substances a baby can be born addicted to, such as heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Mothers who abuse legal/illegal substances run the risk of giving birth to babies born with addictions that can lead to Fetal Abstinence Syndrome, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the pattern of physical, developmental, and functional problems in infants during pregnancy caused by alcohol. Each year in the U.S., 1 out of 750 infants is born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Alcohol easily passes through the placenta

Babies on meth may sleep 23 hours out of a day. Babies of mothers who used meth prenatally may be limp, like a dish rag. They could possibly breathe rapidly and have issues chewing and sucking. They may experience shaking of the extremities and possess a high-pitched scream, similar to those of babies born on crack. Some babies on meth do not enjoy to be touched, similar to adults on meth. The aversion to being touched may continue until the child is three to four years-old, but may persist beyond these ages. Children two years and older may have problems with their speech and are at an increased risk of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). At age three to four, babies prenatally exposed to meth may display exhibited unprovoked fits of