Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS): The number of U.S. babies born addicted to the class of drugs that includes prescription painkillers has nearly tripled in the past decade. These babies experience longer, often medically complex and costly initial hospitalizations. In 2009, the estimated cost for total hospital charges for NAS was $720 million, for 13,539 babies. State Medicaid programs are responsible for the majority of the hospital expenditures. Babies born with NAS are frequently cared for in neonatal intensive care units.
A Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Subcabinet Working Group was created to address this problem in Tennessee. This webinar features Dr. Michael D. Warren, MD MPH FAAP, Director, Division of Family Health and Wellness, Tennessee Department of Health discussing the scope of this problem and Tennessee's unique approach to developing and implementing strategies to reduce the incidence of NAS.