CDC Report on Public Health Strategies to Prevent Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

CDC Report on Public Health Strategies to Prevent Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a group of symptoms that happen among newborns exposed to substances, most commonly opioids, during pregnancy. NAS is a growing problem in the U.S.; in 2012, one infant was born with NAS every 25 minutes. In today’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, CDC reports on public health strategies to prevent NAS outlined in a recent Public Health Grand Rounds presentation. 

These include:

• Increased access to preconception healthcare and family planning services.

• Responsible opioid prescribing practices, including following the Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs and using CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain.

Read the full report and please share with this announcement with colleagues who may be interested.