CDB Babies

RN from OZ · Jan 4, 2003

How did this thread get into the off the topic section...I think it is nursing releated !

sunnygirl272 · Jan 4, 2003

PM a moderator and ask them to move it...

RN from OZ · Jan 5, 2003

How do you PM a moderator ?

Allison S. · Jan 7, 2003

We call this Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), a term applying both to babies of drug abusers and of mothers with prescribed narcotics.

I work in a pediatric rehab (not drug rehab) unit, and we treat these kids with a combo of phenobarb and denatured tincture of opium. We keep them until they are weened of the meds, and encourage their mothers to room in and care for them.

When the babies ofdrug abusers test positive, they go into state custody. I think that parental rights are then contingent on their mother's participation in their own rehab and demonstrated parenting ability.

sunnygirl272 · Jan 7, 2003

thread moved to general nursing by rusty...

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Jan 7, 2003

Our DEI (Drug Exposed Infant) babies usually go to High Risk Foster care, as wards of the court. Sometimes the fostermother is a grandparent of the infant, who has taken classes to care for the baby. Some of them go home on meds, Phenobarb, Paragoric, occasionally methodone.

I would like to see all the mothers be taken off their methodone, and let them suffer ithe same as their poor babies. They often don't see the babes at their worst, when we are trying to control them without totally snowing them. Also, the mothers on methodone do get to take their babies back to rehab with them, or home if they are clean and following the program. That way the babies only end up in foster care later, when the mom relapses.

We had premie twins a few years ago, positve for heroin, cocaine and mom was on methadone. Those babies were a mess, hot, upset guts, hypertonic, screamed easily. Went to two different homes, on methadone after trying everything else, as they were such handfuls. And mother took off after she recovered, it's her right to have more children..............

RN from OZ · Jan 7, 2003

Mimi2Rn,

I hear you on those bubs !

all of our babies are in this state and as we slowly wean them down they start up again.

We have no such system here and the parents no matter how badly addicted or how little contact they have with the child can take that bub home !

We have even had them rock up on discharge day with no nappies , clothes, or bottles...let alone formula and have never even paid a visit to the child since they themselves were discharged.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2003

Haven't seen an increase, but have had babies in house for months to withdrawl off MSO4 because, as you said, moms will take it!

There is a in patient program for these little guys at another hospital, but there is a waiting list. Can you imagine working on that unit? I'd jump out the window!!

brianpribis · Jan 7, 2003

My hat goes off to you ladies (and gents) who are working with children. I have six and love them very much but don't know if I could ever take care of the children you are speaking of without a total meltdown. I know the moms are really sick, but they have made their choices. The children never had that choice. It makes me so mad!

I am so glad that those children have people like you there for them!