Ga. Begins Tracking Cases Of Babies Born Dependent On Drugs

June 4th, 2016

Among the countless Georgians who find themselves addicted to prescription painkillers and heroin are women who are pregnant.

Dr. Seema Csukas in front of a map of Georgia

Dr. Seema Csukas, Georgia’s Department of Public Health medical director for maternal and child health programs, talked about the department’s tracking efforts for NAS.

Credit Alison Guillory / WABE

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Babies who are exposed in utero to these kinds of drugs, along with other licit and illicit substances, can become dependent on them and experience withdrawal symptoms after birth. The medical condition is known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, or NAS.

As of the beginning of this year, Georgia’s Department of Public Health made NAS a required reportable condition and began tracking cases.

Health reporter Michell Eloy sat down with DPH’s Medical Director for Maternal and Child Health Programs Dr. Seema Csukas to talk about those tracking efforts.