As the opioid crisis continues, consequences for the children of users are beginning to come to light.
A new report published in JAMA Pediatrics found that the number of babies going through opiate withdrawal has skyrocketed, CNN reports. Babies get addicted to the drug while still in the womb of women who use opioids. When the babies are born, they aren’t getting the drug anymore, which causes withdrawal symptoms like non-stop crying, shaking, vomiting and diarrhea.
The crisis is especially prominent in rural areas. The research found that from 2004 to 2013, the proportion of babies in these areas suffering from withdrawal increased from 12.9 percent to 21.2 percent.
To read more about the crisis and how medical professionals are working to help suffering babies, follow the link below:
Senior Writer
As a Senior Writer for TriMed Media Group, Katherine primarily focuses on producing news stories, Q&As and features for Cardiovascular Business. She reports on several facets of the cardiology industry, including emerging technology, new clinical trials and findings, and quality initiatives among providers. She is based out of TriMed's Chicago office and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago. Her work has appeared in Modern Healthcare, Crain's Chicago Business and The Detroit News. She joined TriMed in 2016.