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Researchers believe they may have identified a new syndrome in newborns exposed to fentanyl during pregnancy. The study, published in the journal Genetics in Medicine Open, identified a set of distinctive features in at least 10 babies born to mothers who used fentanyl while pregnant.
Key features of the possible new syndrome include:
- Cleft palate
- Unusually small head size
- Developmental delays
- Heart defects
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
NAS is a condition that occurs in babies born to mothers who have been using opioids, such as fentanyl, during pregnancy. Symptoms of NAS can include irritability, tremors, seizures, and difficulty feeding.
The researchers are still investigating whether these features are unique to fentanyl exposure or whether they could be caused by other factors. However, they believe that further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of fentanyl exposure on babies.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is often used to treat severe pain, but it is also illegally manufactured and sold on the street.
The use of fentanyl has been linked to a significant increase in overdose deaths in recent years. In 2020, there were over 70,000 overdose deaths in the United States, and fentanyl was involved in over 60% of those deaths.
Mothers who use fentanyl during pregnancy are at risk of delivering babies with NAS. NAS can be a serious condition that requires treatment, and babies with NAS may have long-term health problems.
If you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant, it is important to talk to your doctor about the risks of using fentanyl. There are safe and effective alternatives available for pain relief during pregnancy.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/national-institute-drug-abuse-nida
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/index.html
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): https://annualmeeting.acog.org/
It is important to note that this is still an emerging area of research, and more studies are needed to confirm the existence of this new syndrome. However, this preliminary study highlights the potential risks of fentanyl exposure during pregnancy and underscores the need for further research and awareness.
