
A recent study reported in the Associated Press has found that a surge in U.S infants born with symptoms of withdrawal from heroin or strong prescription painkillers is driven largely by rising drug use among women in rural areas. "Newborns whose mothers use these drugs during pregnancy are at risk for seizures, excessive crying, problems with breathing, sleeping and feeding and other withdrawal symptoms," the article notes. "Treatment sometimes includes methadone and babies may need to be hospitalized for weeks or months."