Program seeks Council approval for an initiative titled “Outcomes of Babies with Opioid Exposure.“ According to the CDC, the number of women with opioid-related diagnoses documented at delivery increased by 131% from 2010 to 2017. Approximately one baby is diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome every 24 minutes in the United States – more than 59 newborns diagnosed every day.
The number of babies born with NAS increased by 82% nationally from 2010 to 2017. Increases were seen for nearly all states and demographic groups. The cost of a hospital stay for a newborn with NAS was $7,800 in 2020, compared with $1,100 for other newborn hospital stays—a nearly7-time greater cost, translating into $168 million per year. NOWS puts childrenat risk of adverse neurodevelopmental and social outcomes.
In 2019, the NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative supported a longitudinal study, managed by NICHD, of a cohort of infants exposed to opioids in utero and unexposed control infants. The purpose was to gather information on developmental trajectories of these vulnerable children and identify targets for intervention trials to improve outcomes.
The goal of this initiative is to complete amulti-center prospective cohort study of infants exposed to opioids in utero compared to unexposed infants. During a 2-year follow-up period, infants will be assessed with serial measures including neuroimaging, medical, neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and home, social, and family life assessments.
This proposed concept aligns with the NICHD Strategic Plan Theme 4 Improving Child and Adolescent Health and the HEAL research priority of Enhanced Outcomes for Infants and Children Exposed to Opioids.
Program Contact
Michele Walsh
Pregnancy & Perinatology Branch (PPB)
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