Staff Contact: Kelsey Hussey or Shawn Billings
A nationwide study conducted by researchers at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome and maternal opioid-related diagnoses increased between 2010 and 2017. More than 11.8 million records were reviewed to gather the study outcomes from 47 states and the District of Columbia. The results, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, indicate the rate of NAS significantly increased by 82%, or a rate of 3.3 per 1,000 births hospitalizations from 4.0 to 7.3. The estimated MOD rate also saw a significant increase of 121%, or an increased rate of 4.6 per 1,000 delivery hospitalizations from 3.5 to 8.2.
From 2010 to 2017, most states saw an increase in their NAS and MOD rates, and 24 states saw an increase of 100% or more in both indicators. Additionally, rural areas and residents have been affected disproportionately, and in 2017, rates were twice those for residents of large metropolitan areas.
MHA launched the Missouri Neonatal Abstinence Collaborative in November 2020 to provide member organizations evidence-based interventions, collaboration and learning opportunities to provide enhanced support systems and care to Missouri infants and mothers who suffer from opioid use disorder.