Substance Use
True or False? Substances used during pregnancy can be either illegal substances (heroin) or legal (prescriptions).
True.
What causes neonatal abstinence syndrome?
Neonatal abstinence syndrome occurs when substances cross the placenta and cause dependency in the fetus. When fetal exposure to the substance(s) terminates at birth, symptoms of withdrawal develop.
What is an appropriate amount of alcohol for women to have while pregnant?
None!
What are three risk factors for substance use during pregnancy?
Lack of social support, Young age, Personal or family history of SUD, Personal history of smoking and alcohol use, Depression, History of physical or sexual abuse, Homelessness, Environmental pressures, Easy access to substances that can be abused, Lack of knowledge of the dangers of substance use on fetal health
What are four manifestations of neonatal abstinence syndrome?
Tremor, hyper-irritability, jitteriness, excessive and often high-pitched crying, hypertonicity, fever, poor sucking, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, sneezing, fever, nasal congestion, difficulty sleeping, respiratory distress, tachypnea, or seizures.
True or False? Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is cause only after a specified amount of alcohol is consumed.
False. Currently, the amount of alcohol that causes FAS is unknown.
What percentage of newborns in the United States are exposed to illicit drugs in utero?
Roughly 5.5%
What are some non-pharmacological ways to manage NAS?
Reduction of sensory stimulation (dimmed lighting, prone positioning, and swaddling), Use of pacifiers, Breastfeeding.
What are two physical signs of fetal alcohol syndrome?
Small palpebral [i.e., eyelid] fissures, Smooth philtrum [i.e., groove between upper lip and nose], Thin upper lip, Small eyes with short slits, Epicanthal folds, Wide and flat nasal bridge, or Micrognathia [i.e., a small jaw].
How can substances affect the fetus indirectly?
By causing hypoxia, placental abruption, infarction, spontaneous abortion, intrauterine fetal death, intrauterine growth restriction, compromised fetal brain development, pre-eclampsia, or preterm labor.
What test can be performed to determine specific substances involved in NAS?
Urine toxicology. Also testing of meconium, umbilical cord tissue, and/or neonatal hair.
What is a lifelong neurodevelopmental impairment caused by alcohol's effect on the central nervous system?
Mental retardation, learning disabilities, impaired judgment, poor motor coordination, or sensory processing deficits; behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, aggression, or impulsivity; poor social skills.