Zoloft and Pregnancy: Battling the Holiday Blues
MotherToBaby - 12/13/2019
The holiday season was in full swing when Katie found out she was pregnant. She called me and wanted to know if she could continue to take Zoloft (or sertraline), the medication she was prescribed to treat her depression. (Spanish Translation)
Tobacco Product Use and Associated Factors Among Middle and High School Students
CDC - 12/6/2019
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Most tobacco product use begins during adolescence. In recent years, tobacco products have evolved to include various smoked, smokeless, and electronic products.
Demographic, Product, and Substance-Use Characteristics of Hospitalized Patients in a Nationwide Outbreak of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use–Associated Lung Injuries
CDC - 12/6/2019
Patients with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury (EVALI) in Illinois and Wisconsin reported using a variety of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products in the 3 months preceding illness; a product labeled “Dank Vapes” was most commonly reported.
NIH-Funded Study Finds Teens Prefer Mint and Mango Vaping Flavors
NIH - 11/5/2019
A new analysis suggests that teens prefer mint and mango as their vaping flavors of choice for e-cigarettes.
Tobacco Use in Top-Grossing Movies
CDC - 11/1/2019
The Surgeon General has concluded that there is a causal relationship between depictions of smoking in movies and the initiation of smoking among young persons.
NIH-Funded Study Suggests Acetaminophen Exposure in Pregnancy Linked to Higher Risk of ADHD, Autism
NIH - 10/30/2019
Exposure to acetaminophen in the womb may increase a child’s risk for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
FASD Awareness: Mocktail Winner
NOFAS - 10/21/19
Every year on September 9th, International FASD Awareness Day is observed. People all around the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and the plight of individuals and families who struggle with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
What You Should Know About Using Cannabis, Including CBD, When Pregnant or Breastfeeding
US Food & Drug Administration - 10/16/19
Cannabis and Cannabis-derived products have become increasingly available in recent years, with new and different types of products appearing all the time. These products raise questions and concerns for many consumers. And if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you might have even more questions about whether these products are safe for you.
Burden and Prevention of Influenza and Pertussis Among Pregnant Women and Infants
CDC - 10/11/19
Vaccinating pregnant women with influenza vaccine and tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) can reduce their own risk for disease and protect their young infants against influenza and pertussis.
Statement on Consumer Warning to Stop Using THC Vaping Products Amid Ongoing Investigation into Lung Illnesses
FDA - 10/4/19
Over the past several weeks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been working tirelessly along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal, state and local partners to investigate the distressing incidents of severe lung injuries and deaths associated with the use of vaping products.
NIH-Funded Study Suggests High Lead Levels During Pregnancy Linked to Child Obesity
NIH - 10/3/19
Children born to women who have high blood levels of lead are more likely be overweight or obese, compared to those whose mothers have low levels of lead in their blood, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health and Health Resources and Services Administration.
First-Time Pregnancy Complications Linked to Increased Risk of Hypertension Later in Life
NIH - 9/30/19
Women who experience complications such as preterm births and preeclampsia during their first pregnancy are nearly twice more likely than women without complications to develop high blood pressure later in life — some as quickly as three years later, according to a new study of more than 4,000 women.
Suicidal Behavior: Links Between Alcohol Use Disorder and Acute Use of Alcohol
Alcohol Research Current Reviews - 9/23/19
Suicide claims more than 800,000 lives each year worldwide and is the second-leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 29. For every suicide, at least 20 nonlethal suicide attempts have occurred, primarily by attempted overdose.
Suicide Deaths Are a Major Component of the Opioid Crisis that Must Be Addressed
National Institute of Mental Health - 9/19/19
In 2017, 47,600 people died from overdoses involving prescription or illicit opioids. But the opioid overdose epidemic is not limited to people with opioid addiction who accidentally take too much of a pain reliever or unknowingly inject a tainted heroin product.
Podcast: Opioids and Alcohol in Pregnancy: Questions during One Caller’s Adoption Process
MotherToBaby - 9/19/19
Can some alcohol be ok in pregnancy? What about opioid use in a birth mom if adopting? Will the baby born have problems?
Teen E-Cigarette Use Doubles Since 2017
National Institute of Mental Health - 9/18/19
Data from the 2019 Monitoring the Future Survey of eighth, 10th and 12th graders show alarmingly high rates of e-cigarette use compared to just a year ago, with rates doubling in the past two years.
Severe Pulmonary Disease Associated with Electronic-Cigarette–Product Use — Interim Guidance
CDC - 9/13/19
As of August 27, 2019, 215 possible cases of severe pulmonary disease associated with the use of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) products (e.g., devices, liquids, refill pods, and cartridges) had been reported to CDC by 25 state health departments.
NIH Study Suggests Higher Air Pollution Exposure During Second Pregnancy May Increase Preterm Birth Risk
NIH - 9/12/19
Pregnant women who are exposed to higher air pollution levels during their second pregnancy, compared to their first one, may be at greater risk of preterm birth, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health.
Changes in Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths by Opioid Type and Presence of Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine
CDC - 8/30/19
Provisional opioid-involved overdose deaths suggest slight declines from 2017 to 2018, contrasting with sharp increases during 2014–2017 driven by fentanyl overdose deaths.
U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory: Marijuana Use and the Developing Brain
US Department of Health & Human Services - 8/29/19
Marijuana, or cannabis, is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. It acts by binding to cannabinoid receptors in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including euphoria, intoxication, and memory and motor impairments. These same cannabinoid receptors are also critical for brain development.
Incidence of Pediatric Cannabis Exposure Among Children and Teenagers Aged 0 to 19 Years Before and After Medical Marijuana Legalization in Massachusetts
JAMA Network - 8/16/19
This study suggests that states liberalizing marijuana policies should consider strengthening regulations to prevent unintentional exposure among young children and enhancing efforts to prevent use by teenagers, with particular attention to edible cannabis products and concentrated extracts.
Period Problems: Fibriods, Endometriosis and Other Issues
NIH News in Health - 8/15/19
Getting your period is a fact of life for most women. But every woman’s period is different. So how do you know if yours is causing problems that it shouldn’t?
Podcast: Vaccine Questions During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Answered
MotherToBaby - 8/14/19
Are vaccines ok during pregnancy? Which vaccines should you get in pregnancy or before becoming pregnant? What about vaccine safety in breastfeeding?
Opioid Epidemic May Have Cost States $130 Billion in Treatment and Related Expenses
Route Fifty - 7/30/19
The devastating health effects of the opioid epidemic have been well documented, with over 700,000 overdose deaths and millions more affected.
Maternal Mortality
Medical Association of Georgia - 7/26/19
The latest edition of the Medical Association of Georgia’s ‘Top Docs Radio’ show addresses maternal mortality, and it features Chadburn Ray, MD, FACOG, a board-certified OB-GYN who is an associate professor at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and the president of the Georgia Obstetric and Gynecological Society.
Special Teratology Society Journal Issue Provides New Insight Surrounding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
The Teratology Society - 7/23/19
Whether alone or combined with alcohol, new studies included in Birth Defects Research just published by the Teratology Society with John Wiley & Sons, suggest marijuana exposure may be capable of triggering morphological and behavioral impairments similar to those seen with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
State-Specific Prevalence of Quit Attempts Among Adult Cigarette Smokers
CDC - 7/19/19
Increasing the prevalence of quit attempts and successful quitting is important to increase smoking cessation and to reduce smoking-related disease, death, and costs.
Infection and Fever in Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Findings from the Study to Explore Early Development
Wiley Online Library - 7/17/19
Maternal infection and fever during pregnancy have been implicated in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, studies have not been able to separate the effects.
Cognitive and Motor Outcomes of Children with Prenatal Opioid Exposure
JAMA - 7/12/19
The negative consequences of prenatal opioid exposure on neurocognitive and physical development appear to be present from 6 months and persist beyond school age.
Health Professionals Need to Talk to Families About Swaddling
NICHQ - 7/10/19
Swaddling babies snuggly in a blanket mimics the confines of the womb and can comfort babies and promote sleep. That’s why swaddling has been a popular practice for generations and is commonplace in hospitals and homes across the country. But in recent years, health professionals have questioned how safe swaddling is for babies while sleeping.
Opioid Use in Pregnancy Affects Offspring Across Childhood
Psychiatric Times - 7/9/19
Children exposed to opioids in utero are at significant risk for health problems, including preterm birth, neurodevelopmental issues in infancy, and psychological and medical issues in childhood, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.
Prenatal Risk Factors and Perinatal and Postnatal Outcomes Associated With Maternal Opioid Exposure in an Urban, Low-Income, Multiethnic US Population
JAMA - 6/28/2019
The opioid epidemic increasingly affects pregnant women and developing fetuses, resulting in high rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome.
In Search of a Better Conversation About Alcohol and Pregnancy
Anchorage Daily News - 6/26/2019
The advice you get when you’re expecting ranges from wise to questionable to downright bad - and the facts about drinking during pregnancy are often drowned out in the din.
American Academy of Pediatrics Emphasizes Dangers of Alcohol to Children, Teens and Young Adults
American Academy of Pediatrics - 6/24/19
As growing evidence shows how alcohol can interfere with brain development and function, the American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to talk with their teens about the risks and set firm rules against its use.
Marijuana Use Doubles in US Pregnant Women to 1 in 14
STAT - 6/18/2019
Overall, 7% of pregnant women, or 1 in 14, said they used marijuana in the past month. That’s from a nationally representative health survey in 2016-17 and compares with a little over 3% in 2002-03.
Adolescent Correctedness and Adult Health Outcomes
AAP News and Journals Gateway - 6/18/2019
In multivariable analyses, school connectedness in adolescence had independent protective associations in adulthood, reducing emotional distress and odds of suicidal ideation, physical violence victimization and perpetration, multiple sex partners, STI diagnosis, prescription drug misuse, and other illicit drug use.
Claire Coles Attends PEHSU Annual Meeting
Emory - 6/14/2019
Dr. Claire Coles, Director of MSACD, attended the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) Annual Meeting in Washington DC.
Improving Maternal and Child Health in the Face of the Opioid Epidemic
NICHQ - 6/14/2019
According to the CDC, in a 15-year period, opioid use disorder (OUD) more than quadrupled among pregnant women and, in just one year, overdose deaths among women rose by 20 percent.
Supporting Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Through the Opioid Epidemic
MotherToBaby - 6/14/2019
On an almost daily basis I take care of women struggling with opioid addiction or dependency in pregnancy and the post-partum period.
Receipt of Breast Milk by Gestational Age — United States, 2017
CDC - June 7, 2019
Disparities in receipt of breast milk by gestational age exist. Hospital implementation of policies and practices that ensure that all mothers and their infants receive support for breast milk feeding and that preterm infants receive breast milk as soon as is medically feasible might help reduce these disparities.
Fathers: Powerful Allies for Maternal and Child Health
NICHQ - 6/7/2019
Maternal and child health programs and professionals have become increasingly more cognizant of how fathers, specifically, affect their children’s health and development.
Receipt of Breast Milk by Gestational Age
CDC - 6/7/2019
Breast milk is the optimal source of infant nutrition. For the nearly one in 10 infants born prematurely in the United States annually (1), breast milk is especially beneficial, helping prevent sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis and promoting neurologic development.
NIH-Funded Study Links Microbiome Composition to Preterm Birth Risk Among African-American Women
NIH - 5/29/2019
A research project funded by the National Institutes of Health has identified differences in the vaginal bacteria that may raise the risk of preterm birth among pregnant African-American women.
NIH Scientists Call Attention to the Impact of Opioids on Women and Children
NIH - 5/28/2019
Understanding the full effects of the nation’s opioid epidemic requires coordinated, long-term research involving women of reproductive age and children, according to scientists at the National Institutes of Health.
Leading Authority in Birth Defects Research and Prevention Launches Podcast for Moms
MotherToBaby - 5/13/2019
From herbal supplements in pregnancy to marijuana in breastfeeding, “no topic is off-limits,” describes Chris Stallman, a certified genetic counselor and host of the new MotherToBaby Podcast launching May 8, just ahead of Mother’s Day.
Expectant Mother Avoids Alcohol
NOFAS - 5/12/2019
Video by National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS).
Empowering Moms this Mother's Day and Every Day: Making the Most of Prenatal Appointments
MothertoBaby - 5/10/2019
Finding the right health care provider (HCP) for you is essential because doctors, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners, and midwives are people just like you and me. Click here for the blog post in Spanish.
Vital Signs: Pregnancy-Related Deaths, United States, 2011–2015, and Strategies for Prevention, 13 States, 2013–2017
CDC - 5/10/2019
Approximately 700 women die annually in the United States from pregnancy-related complications.
Pregnancy-Related Deaths and Strategies for Prevention
CDC - 5/10/2019
Among pregnancy-related deaths for which timing was known, 31.3% deaths occurred during pregnancy, 16.9% on the day of delivery, 18.6% on days 1–6 postpartum, 21.4% on days 7–42 postpartum, and 11.7% on days 43–365 postpartum.
Marijuana in Pregnancy/Breastfeeding
MotherToBaby - 5/9/2019
A webinar hosted by the NSGC featuring MotherToBaby experts, Drs. Sarah Obican and Christina Chambers, discussing marijuana related to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Cocaine and Psychostimulants with Abuse Potential
CDC - 5/3/2019
Overdose deaths involving cocaine and psychostimulants continue to increase. During 2015–2016, age-adjusted cocaine-involved and psychostimulant-involved death rates increased by 52.4% and 33.3%, respectively.
Marijuana - is it Safe During Pregnancy?
SAMHSA - 4/30/2019
Marijuana use during pregnancy may cause problems with brain development, fetal growth, premature birth, and even stillbirth. THC and other chemicals from marijuana can also be passed from mother to baby through breast milk, impacting a child’s healthy development.
More Exercise, Less Screen Time for Under Fives
Medscape - 4/29/2019
Children under 5 years need to be physically active and get good quality sleep, as well as spend as little time as possible restrained in prams or seats, and sat in front of screens, if they are to grow up healthy, say guidelines by the World Health Organization.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder with Dr. Jeffrey Wozniak
NavNeuro - 4/29/2019
Today we give an overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which includes a collection of disorders that occur when a fetus is exposed to alcohol. We discuss this topic with Jeffrey Wozniak, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist with extensive research and clinical experience in FASD.
Marijuana Risks - Build a Brain
SAMSHA - 4/26/2019
Marijuana is stronger, more available than ever, and use in the U.S. is on the rise. In Build A Brain, viewers learn how marijuana can interfere with the delicate machinery of the brain including erasing I.Q. points and deleting memories.
Alcohol Use and Binge Drinking Among Women Aged 18-44 Years
CDC - 4/22/2019
In a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report article, CDC researchers found that about 1 in 9 pregnant women reported drinking alcohol* in the past 30 days. Among pregnant women, about one third who reported consuming alcohol engaged in binge drinking.
Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths with Kratom Detected
CDC - 4/12/2019
Kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia, contains the alkaloid mitragynine, which can produce stimulant effects in low doses and some opioid-like effects at higher doses when consumed.
An Alcohol-Free Pregnancy is the Best Choice for a Healthy Pregnancy
NOFAS - 4/8/2019
In observance of April’s Alcohol Awareness Month, the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) is raising awareness about the risk of prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
FDA Confirms 'Dangerous' Levels of Heavy Metals in Some Kratom Products
FDA - 4/4/2019
Final results of tests performed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 30 kratom products confirm the presence of heavy metals, including lead and nickel, at concentrations not considered safe for human consumption, the FDA said Wednesday.
MSACD Helped Coordinate the 2019 Substance Abuse Prevention Advocacy Day
Emory - 4/4/2019
The Center for MSACD helped coordinate the 2019 Substance Abuse Prevention Advocacy Day at the Georgia State Capitol.
Opioid Epidemic is Increasing Rates of Some Infectious Diseases
NIH - 4/3/2019
The United States faces a converging public health crisis as the nation’s opioid epidemic fuels growing rates of certain infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, heart infections, and skin and soft tissue infections.
FDA Investigating Reports of Seizures After Vaping
FDA - 4/3/2019
Some people who use e-cigarettes have experienced seizures following their use, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned today, calling it "another potential emerging safety" issue with the nicotine-vaping devices.
What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking Alcohol
WebMD - 3/29/2019
Alcohol plays a role in at least half of all serious trauma injuries and deaths from burns, drownings, and homicides. It’s also involved in four out of 10 fatal falls and traffic crashes, as well as suicides. You don’t have to go completely dry to be safer. Even cutting back your drinking by a third can lower the number of injuries and sick days.
Changing Perceptions of Harm of e-Cigarette vs Cigarette Use Among Adults in 2 US National Surveys From 2012 to 2017
JAMA Network - 3/29/2019
In 2 nationally representative multiyear cross-sectional surveys of US adults, the proportion who perceived e-cigarettes to be as harmful as or more harmful than cigarettes increased substantially from 2012 to 2017.
Childhood Lead Exposure May Affect Personality, Mental Health in Adulthood
JAMA Network - 3/27/2019
The link between childhood lead exposure and long-term cognitive deficits is established, but can such exposure also influence personality and mental health later in life? In this JAMA Psychiatry study, researchers tracked hundreds of children for more than 30 years to find out.
A Call to Keep More Moms and Babies Safe
NICHQ - 3/19/2019
Preeclampsia, a dangerous disorder where a mother’s blood pressure spikes during pregnancy, is one of the leading causes of maternal and infant illness and death. According to the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), it has increased 25 percent in recent decades.
Maternal Smoking Before and During Pregnancy and the Risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death
AAP News & Journals - 3/18/2019
Maternal smoking during pregnancy is an established risk factor for sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). Here, we aim to investigate the effects of maternal prepregnancy smoking, reduction during pregnancy, and smoking during pregnancy on SUID rates.
Rate of Life-Threatening Childbirth Complications Increasing Sharple Across US Racial, Ethnic Groups
NIH - 3/5/2019
Racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity — life-threatening maternal complications associated with childbirth — have persisted and increased at high rates among U.S. women, according to an analysis of nearly 20 years of California hospital records funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Maternal Circulating miRNAs that Predict Infant FASD Outcomes Influence Placental Maturation
PubMed - 3/4/2019
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), like other pregnancy complications, can result in placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction, although the linking causal mechanisms are unclear.
Use of Electronic Vapor Products Before, During, and After Pregnancy Among Women with a Recent Live Birth — Oklahoma and Texas, 2015
CDC - 3/1/2019
Electronic vapor products (EVPs) comprise a diverse group of devices, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). EVP users inhale an aerosol that typically contains nicotine, flavorings, and other additives.
Vaping Rises Among Teens
NIH News in Health - 2/28/2019
A new survey found an alarming rise in the number of American teens who tried vaping last year. The study suggests that vaping may be driving an increase in nicotine use for teens.
Optimizing the Timing of Vaccine Administration During Pregnancy
JAMA Network - 2/25/2019
Vaccination during pregnancy is an important strategy to protect infants from life-threatening infections during the first months of life.
Assessment of Changes in the Geographical Distribution of Opioid-Related Mortality Across the United States by Opioid Type, 1999-2016
JAMA Network - 2/22/2019
As the opioid epidemic evolves, it is vital to identify changes in the geographical distribution of opioid-related deaths, and the specific opioids to which those deaths are attributed, to ensure that federal and state public health interventions remain appropriately targeted.
Leveraging Existing Birth Defects Surveillance Infrastructure to Build Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Surveillance Systems
CDC - 2/22/2019
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a drug withdrawal syndrome that can occur following prenatal exposure to opioids.
Women Hit Hardest by Opioid Crisis
HRSA - 2/21/2019
The national opioid epidemic, generally recognized as the greatest public health crisis since the dawn of the HIV/AIDS virus, is indisputably hardest on women, experts said at a Feb. 5 session -- the first in a series of planned meetings convened by HRSA to crack the problem of patchwork treatment and patient support for women in many parts of the country.
Increased Methamphetamine, Injection Drug, and Heroin Use Among Women and Heterosexual Men with Primary and Secondary Syphilis
CDC - 2/15/2019
During 2013–2017, the national annual rate of reported primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis cases in the United States increased 72.7%, from 5.5 to 9.5 cases per 100,000 population.
Increased Methamphetamine, Injection Drug, and Heroin Use Among Women and Heterosexual Men with Primary and Secondary Syphilis
CDC - 2/15/2019
During 2013–2017, the national annual rate of reported primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis cases in the United States increased 72.7%, from 5.5 to 9.5 cases per 100,000 population.
Association of Cannabis Use in Adolescence and Risk of Depression, Anxiety and Suicidality in Young Adulthood
JAMA - 2/13/2019
Preadolescents and adolescents should avoid using cannabis as use is associated with a significant increased risk of developing depression or suicidality in young adulthood; these findings should inform public health policy and governments to apply preventive strategies to reduce the use of cannabis among youth.
Two Decades of Data Reveal Overall Increase in Pain, Opioid Use Among US Adults
NIH - 2/13/2019
Prompted by a call from the National Academy of Medicine, then the Institute of Medicine, for improved national data on pain, a recent study provides new insights concerning pain trends and opioid use for pain management.
Tobacco Use by Youth is Rising
CDC - 2/12/2019
Youth tobacco product use in the US is increasing at an alarming rate and you can help stop it.
Baby Your Baby: Marijuana During Pregnancy
KUTV - 2/11/2019
What you put into your body while pregnant can affect your baby’s development. This is why marijuana is not recommended during pregnancy. Whether you’re smoking, vaping, or eating it, there is no safe way to use marijuana during pregnancy.
Mother's Immune Profile May Influence Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Outcome
NIAAA - 2/11/2019
A new study has found that alcohol use during pregnancy can affect a woman’s immune system in ways that may predict her child’s neurodevelopmental outcome.
Inexpensive Supplement for Women Increases Infant Birth Size
NIH - 2/11/2019
For women in resource-poor settings, taking a certain daily nutritional supplement before conception or in early pregnancy may provide enough of a boost to improve growth of the fetus, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Drinking While Pregnant: An Inconvenient Truth
New York Times - 2/5/2019
Pregnant women are given a long list of medical recommendations that can come across as patriarchal don’ts: Don’t eat raw fish. Don’t consume deli meats. Don’t do hot yoga! Don’t drink. There’s scientific evidence that these activities can have negative impacts on the health of the fetus, but the one that seems to be the source of most debate is alcohol.
The Opioid Epidemic and Maternal Health: Three Opportunities for Change
NICHQ - 2/8/2019
Opioid use disorder in pregnancy has increased dramatically across the country in the last decade, bringing with it increased health risks for mothers and babies.
How to Help Kids with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder
Star Advertiser - 1/30/2019
The National Institutes of Health estimates that between 2 and 5 percent of children in the U.S. show signs of prenatal alcohol exposure. Fetal alcohol syndrome disorder now appears to be more prevalent than autism spectrum disorder.
How to Avoid Hidden Toxins During Pregnancy
Yahoo News - 1/28/2019
From the moment you find out you're pregnant, your desire to keep yourself and your child as healthy as possible kicks into high gear.
Alcohol, Smoking and Other Drugs: Why Ten Fingers Plus Ten Toes Doesn’t Always Equal the Whole Story
MotherToBaby - 1/28/2019
Carly called and I could hear the stress in her voice immediately. She had been smoking marijuana on weekends and having a glass of wine most evenings with her dinner.
NCBDDD Making a Difference Across the Lifespan: From Saving Babies to Protecting People
CDC - 1/25/2019
Welcome to the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report. Please click on the following links to learn about our accomplishments and plans for the future.
Many Pregnant Women Don't Think Cannabis is Harmful, UBC Study Finds
CBC - 1/23/2019
A new report by researchers at the University of British Columbia has found that up to one-third of pregnant women believe it is safe to ingest cannabis during pregnancy.
Public Health Surveillance of Prenatal Opioid Exposure in Mothers and Infants
AAP News & Journals - 1/19/2019
The US opioid crisis is the public health emergency of our time and requires urgent public health action to monitor and protect the most vulnerable Americans.
Gastroschisis Trends and Ecological Link to Opioid Prescription Rates
CDC - 1/18/2019
Prevalence of gastroschisis, a serious birth defect of the abdominal wall resulting in some of the abdominal contents extending outside the body at birth, has been increasing worldwide.
Genetic Risks Play in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
UW Health - 1/16/2019
A study of 84 twin/sibling pairs exposed to alcohol in utero shows that two fetuses exposed to identical levels of alcohol can experience strikingly different levels of neurological damage.
How Naloxone Saves Lives in Opioid Overdose
US National Library of Medicine - 1/15/2019
Naloxone saves lives. This video reviews when naloxone is used, how it is administered, and the way it works.
Evaluation of State-Mandated Reporting of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
CDC - 1/11/2019
From 2004 to 2014, the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the United States increased 433%, from 1.5 to 8.0 per 1,000 hospital births. The latest national data from 2014 indicate that one baby was born with signs of NAS every 15 minutes in the United States. NAS is a drug withdrawal syndrome that most commonly occurs among infants after in utero exposure to opioids, although other substances have also been associated with NAS.
Drug Overdose Deahts Among Women Aged 30-64 Years
CDC - 1/11/2019
The drug epidemic in the United States continues to evolve. The drug overdose death rate has rapidly increased among women, although within this demographic group, the increase in overdose death risk is not uniform.
Drug Overdose Deaths Skyrocket Among Women
US News & World Report - 1/10/2019
The drug overdose death rate among women aged 30 to 64 has soared since the turn of the century, climbing from 6.7 deaths per 100,000 in 1999 to 24.3 in 2017 – a 260 percent increase, the data show.
Patterns of Prenatal Alcohol Use that Predict Infant Growth and Development
AAP News & Journals - 1/7/2019
In this study, we employ longitudinal cluster analysis to characterize patterns of prenatal alcohol exposure across gestation. This method allows for a more robust estimation of infants at risk for early deficits in growth and neurodevelopment and for earlier and more targeted interventions.
Individuals with FASD and the Courts
NASW - 1/7/2019
Any social worker employed ina court or a criminal justice environment is almost certain to encounter individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders(FASDs) regularly.