WV Department of Human Services Addresses Prenatal Substance-Exposure
Dr. Stephen Loyd, the Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy for the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), presented an update to the WV Legislature on the State’s ongoing efforts to address the critical issue of substance-exposed infants. West Virginia continues to lead the U.S, in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and Intrauterine Substance Exposure (IUSE), making these initiatives essential for protecting the health and well being of mothers and infants across the state.
Currently in West Virginia, NAS affects 6.7% of births, and IUSE impacts 8.8%. While NAS cases have declined, since peaking in 2017, IUSE rates continue to rise.
NAS, also known as neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome is a group of physical and behavioral symptoms that can occur in newborns after experiencing exposure to certain substances while in the womb. When the baby is born, the access to the substances through their mother is stopped, resulting in withdrawal symptoms for the infant. Not all babies so exposed develop NAS, but those that do, in addition to the immediate withdrawal symptoms, can also develop long term symptoms as they enter adolescence, including:
- visual disturbances
- hearing problems
- short-term memory issues
- delays in speech development
These long-term effects may be due to brain development and changes in how neural pathways connect in the brain, and can affect a person from a young age into adolescence, influencing their performance during school and social development.
IUSE likewise can have short-term and similar long-term effects that go beyond withdrawal issues on a baby exposed in the womb to opioids, amphetamines or certain other illegal drugs.
Dr, Loyd explained some of the programs the Office of Drug Control Policy offers to help prevent these conditions.
- The West Virginia Prenatal Risk Screening Instrument is a mandatory tool administered during a woman’s first obstetric visit, ensuring early identification and referral for high-risk conditions, including substance use.
- The Drug Free Moms and Babies program integrates medical and behavioral health care with comprehensive recovery support services. The program’s impact is evident, with 74.9% of pregnant participants testing positive for substance use and 64.2% testing negative at delivery.
- Seven residential treatment programs across the state provide specialized care for pregnant women, mothers, and their children, offering a safe environment for recovery.
- Home Visitation Programs are available at no-cost to families from pregnancy through age five, these programs provide critical support to new and expecting mothers.
- Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives reduce unplanned pregnancies and IUSE. The State has made these widely available.
|