What is NAS?
When pregnant women take prescription medications or other drugs, their baby may be born with signs of withdrawal from the medications or drugs the mother was taking. This treatable condition is called Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) or Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS). Antidepressants, benodiazenpines, and barbiturates may cause signs of withdrawal in infants, but the most common substances that cause NAS or NOWS are opioids.
A baby born with NAS or NOWS can suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as: fever, seizures, difficulty feeding, continuous crying, rapid breathing, and extreme sensitivity to sounds and light. Babies with NAS or NOWS are watched closely in the hospital for any signs of withdrawal. Sometimes symptoms can be treated by keeping babies in the room with mom, wrapping a baby in a light-weight blanket and limiting their exposure to bright lights and noises. Medication to treat withdrawal may be needed for some babies.
What is NAS?
When pregnant women take prescription medications or other drugs, their baby may be born drug-dependent. This condition is called Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). It does not matter if the medications are prescribed to the mother or not. The potential impact on the baby is the same. A baby born with NAS can suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as: fever, seizures, blotchy skin, continuous crying, rapid breathing, respiratory problems and extreme sensitivity to sounds and light. Some babies’ symptoms will be so great that they will require hospitalization, intensive care and medications for several weeks to keep them comfortable and safe during the withdrawal process.
Since 2019
Who We Are
We are an initiative implemented by the East Tennessee Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Task Force in 2015, which represented agencies across the region, including: East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, ASAP of Anderson County, Metro Drug Coalition, Rescue 180, Sevier County CARES, Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services, and Mary Beth West Communications.
Our Purpose
The goal of Born Drug-Free Tennessee is to connect pregnant women who are struggling with a substance use disorder to locate an evidence-based substance use treatment provider and enter prenatal care as early in pregnancy as possible. We know that the earlier a woman enters both prenatal care and drug treatment, the better outcomes for both mother and baby.
The East Tennessee Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Task Force would like to express special thank you to Born Drug-Free Florida for the development and design of these campaign materials. Also, a special thank you to United Way of Greater Knoxville for providing the funding and support of this campaign.
Our Funders:
Our Funders:
