HHS study finds rise in opioid-affected births

A cross-sectional analysis of data on 11.8 million hospitalizations in 47 states and the District of Columbia found a significant increase in rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and maternal opioid-related diagnoses (MOD) between 2010 and 2017. The researchers found substantial variation between states, but all states saw a significant increase in MOD rates and all but two states, Nebraska and Vermont, saw a significant increase in NAS rates. The Health Resources and Services Administration has an online toolkit with guidance for organization leaders and providers on caring for women with opioid use disorder. (JAMA article, 1/12/21)