HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
There's troubling new research behind a problem hitting the young and defenseless. More and more babies are being born to mothers addicted to illegal, and even legal, narcotics.
Research shows the number of babies born with opiate drug withdrawal has tripled in a decade.
Most times, we only see and hear about the problem when a mugshot of a mother charged with chemical endangerment pops up on the news when her newborn tests positive for drugs.
Late last year, investigators said Heather Capps in Marshall County knowingly took oxycodone throughout her pregnancy without a prescription.
"Those are only the women you see," said Lisa Carter with the Alabama Department of Public Health.
She scours medical records across the state on infant mortality rates.
"I would say that it is well over 50 to 70 percent of all the cases that we review. We're seeing painkillers, anti-depressants that women are using throughout their pregnancy that they are probably getting prescriptions for them," added Carter.
Disturbing new research from the American Medical Association says the number of U.S. babies born withdrawing from opiates has tripled in a decade because of a surge in pregnant women using anything like methadone, oxycontin, morphine and heroin.
The babies will end up at a neo-natal intensive care unit.
The neo-natal unit director at Huntsville Hospital, Meyer Dworsky, said the unit treats at least 20 to 30 babies every year, working to wean them off the same drug that got them there.
"The baby has to withdraw; there is no magic about it. The babies that do withdraw, our job is to ease the transition through that withdraw," mentioned Dworsky.
The babies' symptoms are tremors, fever, vomiting and inability to sleep. It can take an infant weeks or a month to successfully kick the drug.
So what about mom's treatment? Statistics show it's not as easy for her.
Dr. Ellen Ovson at Bradford Health Services sees those that want help to stop and some that still need convincing. She believes treatment should start before a baby is even born.
"Engaging them in treatment while they are pregnant and detoxing them after they are pregnant, the facilities just aren't available to do that," said Ovson.
The money isn't there either. Insurance will only pay for 10 to 12 days of in-patient treatment when Ovson recommends 90 days.
The addiction is strong, but critics will say they had a choice to start using in the first place.
"If they have the brain disease of addiction, they can't stop. Once that disease takes hold, they don't have a choice," said Ovson.
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Research shows the number of babies born addicted has tripled in a decade.
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