Babies Don't Get to Choose Their Parents

  

One of the most vulnerable populations in our world are newborn babies. They have no choice of how they come into this world and can be born into a great or a tough situation. Although there is no manual on how to do everything perfect as a new expecting parent, physicians and health care teams try to give new parents as much information as possible to ensure a healthy baby upon birth. However, there is a population of parents that do not take this advice and continue unhealthy habits throughout their pregnancy. Physicians recommend that pregnant mothers refrain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, and any drugs (over the counter and illegal drugs). The use of these harmful things can cause such things as birth defects all the way to fatality.  Many forget about the population of people who were neonatal abstinence syndrome and with fetal alcohol syndrome. These babies come into the world already behind the curve.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome effects also known as NAS on babies and is constantly growing in numbers across the globe. These babies develop a dependency on drugs in the womb. Once born, these babies suffer from withdrawals from these various drugs. Which can cause complications throughout their entire life.  Some of these complications are birth defects, low birth weight, premature birth, small head circumference, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and problems with development and behavior.    Admissions of these babies to U.S. neonatal intensive care units nearly quadrupled from 2004 through 2013, from seven to 27 per 1,000 admissions, a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found. Meanwhile, the overall incidence nearly doubled in four years nationally, with one affected baby born every 25 minutes by 2012. That's according to Vanderbilt University researchers publishing in the Journal of Perinatology, who say the problem accounts for $1.5 billion a year in health care charges. With the rise in this demographic of young people entering the world the need for care also rises.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome also known as FAS can cause complications in babies from the time they are born and there whole life.  Some of these issues are heart and kidney problems, learning disabilities, low IQ, and trouble with memory, coordination.  Although research is unclear in regards to how many people live with FAS. “CDC studies have identified 0.2 to 1.5 infants with FAS for every 1,000 live births in certain areas of the United States.” Many times babies that are diagnosed with FAS are born with abnormal facial features, growth deficiencies, and central nervous system defects.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) have significant impact on families. These babies many times will have lasting impacts that will last well into their adult lives. In some cases, they develop drug and alcohol habits of their own.  These vulnerable babies find themselves with some major disadvantages that influence them and all those around them.