Issue Focus

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) describes a group of conditions faced by newborn babies born exposed to addictive substances like medication, opioids or other drugs.

Babies with NAS – like those we help at Brigid’s Path – experience symptoms of withdrawal after birth, including trembling, seizures, high-pitched crying, vomiting and more.

We hear a common misconception that the babies who come to Brigid’s Path are addicted to the substance they were exposed to in the womb; that’s not true. They are not addicted because of their prenatal exposure, but they do still experience withdrawal symptoms.

For more information about NAS, visit the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative NAS Project.