Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Fewer NAS babies born in East Tennessee: Last year, the rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome in Tennessee dropped in some areas

While the opioid crisis continues to wreak devastation throughout the state, one of the hardest hit areas is seeing a glimmer of good news. Recent reporting shows that cases of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in Tennessee have started to decline in 2018. NAS cases are down 26% in 2018 compared to the same time period last year. Rates of NAS in East Tennessee have decreased each of the last several years. NAS occurs when a pregnant woman abuses drugs and her unborn child develops a dependency on them in the womb. Awareness of the dangers of drug use during pregnancy has had an impact on women of childbearing age. But the decrease in the number of NAS babies in Knox County has […]
Moms, Babies and Drugs: OB/GYN Craig Towers talks about his research to prevent Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact in Tennessee, where pregnant young women pass along drug dependencies to their babies. Dr. Craig Towers, a maternal fetal medicine specialist, has been instrumental in changing how they are treated.
Health Brief: Addiction: Nearly 400,000 Tennesseans abuse or are dependent on alcohol or drugs. How it's happening and what we do to change it.

Nearly 400,000 Tennesseans abuse or are dependent on alcohol or drugs. How it’s happening and what we do to change it.
Starting a New Life

90% of pregnancies in women with opioid use disorders are unintended. Experts from Tennessee’s Dayspring Family Health talk about addressing opioid use during pregnancy, the prevalence of the problem and glimmers of hope.

Starting a New Life: At Dayspring Family Health Center in Jellico, mothers have a chance to leave opioid use behind them

90% of pregnancies in women with opioid use disorders are unintended. Experts from Tennessee’s Dayspring Family Health talk about addressing opioid use during pregnancy, the prevalence of the problem and glimmers of hope.
Health Brief: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

More than 1,000 Tennessee infants are born dependent on drugs each year. Why it’s happening and how we change it.

Health Brief: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS): More than 1,000 infants in Tennessee are born dependent on drugs each year. Why it's happening and how we change it.

More than 1,000 Tennessee infants are born dependent on drugs each year. Why it’s happening and how we change it.
Women in Recovery

Better Tennessee spoke to Chief Clinical Officer Cindy Sneed about the challenges women in recovery face and the current opioid crisis in the state.

Women in Recovery: Clinical teams at The Next Door tend to the unique needs of women fighting addiction

Better Tennessee spoke to Chief Clinical Officer Cindy Sneed about the challenges women in recovery face and the current opioid crisis in the state.
Nursing in a Crisis

Much to her dismay, Sheri Smith is an expert on weaning infants off drugs

Nursing in a Crisis: Much to her dismay, Sheri Smith is an expert on weaning infants off drugs

Much to her dismay, Sheri Smith is an expert on weaning infants off drugs
Welcome to the Family

After Whitney and Zack Moore decided to adopt a child, they were stunned to discover that their soon-to-arrive daughter would be born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. This is their story.

Welcome to the Family: Couple adopts two sisters born with NAS — and don’t regret a moment

After Whitney and Zack Moore decided to adopt a child, they were stunned to discover that their soon-to-arrive daughter would be born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. This is their story.
Fighting a Hidden Health Crisis

“It’s the cry — so different from other infants. The cry will pierce your soul because it tells you how much pain these babies are in.” Those are the calm yet impassioned words of Sheri Smith, RN, nursing director for critical care services at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH). In the past five years she has seen more newborns than ever before come into the world dependent on drugs — specifically opioids like Suboxone that are used for pain management or addiction recovery. Young mothers take the drug during pregnancy, often with a prescription, not understanding that they are transmitting the drug to their unborn child. “During pregnancy, the baby’s brain is being bathed in opioids,” Smith says. “When the […]

Fighting a Hidden Health Crisis: East Tennessee Children's Hospital treats babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

“It’s the cry — so different from other infants. The cry will pierce your soul because it tells you how much pain these babies are in.” Those are the calm yet impassioned words of Sheri Smith, RN, nursing director for critical care services at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH). In the past five years she has seen more newborns than ever before come into the world dependent on drugs — specifically opioids like Suboxone that are used for pain management or addiction recovery. Young mothers take the drug during pregnancy, often with a prescription, not understanding that they are transmitting the drug to their unborn child. “During pregnancy, the baby’s brain is being bathed in opioids,” Smith says. “When the […]
Infographic: Health Challenges in Tennessee

The BlueCross Health Foundation is supporting organizations all over the state to address these health challenges facing 6.5 million Tennesseans.

Infographic: Health Challenges in Tennessee: 4 of the biggest health challenges facing our state

The BlueCross Health Foundation is supporting organizations all over the state to address these health challenges facing 6.5 million Tennesseans.