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WEST VIRGINIA: ONE-IN-FIVE UNBORN BABIES EXPOSED TO ALCOHOL-DRUGS BEFORE BIRTH |
| (09/19/2011) |
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A 2009 study by the West Virginia Perinatal Partners says that one out of every five West Virginia babies are exposed to drugs or alcohol before they are born. West Virginia physicians say the problem now could be even greater that the 2009 study indicates. Doctors say weaning pregnant women off of drugs poses risks for both the mother and her unborn child, and many places in West Virginia won't treat them. "The only way to treat them is to give them the drug and slowly wean them off of it for a period of time," said Dr. Stefan Maxwell, a neonatologist at Charleston Area Medical Center's Women and Children's Hospital. He said some cases can take as long as three months. Eight hospitals in the state participated in the 2009 study. The tests focused on using umbilical cord segments in 759 babies delivered in one month. Out of these samples, 146 were found to be positive for drugs and/or alcohol. The drug of choice, according to the study, was marijuana, with 58 positive samples. The second most common type of drug found was opiates, with 41 instances. "Polypharmacy," or the use of multiple drugs, was common along with alcohol use, which had 39 instances. Doctors say methadone, marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes and "bath salts" currently are a problem in West Virginia. Debate surrounds the effects of marijuana use during pregnancy. Martha Mullett, professor of pediatrics at West Virginia University and neonatologist at WVU Children's Hospital, said she has not seen babies display any symptomology from the drug. "I certainly don't recommend people to do it, though," she said.
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