Summary of "Drug-Dependent Infants Detox at Tenn. NICU"
The video reports on a growing epidemic in the United States where approximately one baby every hour is born dependent on prescription painkillers due to maternal drug abuse. ABC’s Juju Chang visits the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, which specializes in detoxing newborns suffering from withdrawal symptoms caused by drugs such as oxycodone, Vicodin, and Percocet.
The NICU currently cares for 23 infants undergoing withdrawal, many experiencing severe symptoms like tremors, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Nurse Carla Saunders, head of the unit, describes the dramatic increase in cases from occasional to a "flood," illustrating the scale of the crisis.
The story centers on baby Grayson, born drug-dependent and treated with morphine to ease withdrawal. His mother, Ashton, 19, shares her struggles with addiction, revealing she started using prescription painkillers recreationally in high school and lost a basketball scholarship due to drug use. Ashton is on methadone maintenance therapy and is trying to stay clean to care for Grayson. Medical professionals advise pregnant women not to abruptly stop drug use to avoid lethal withdrawal effects on the fetus.
Grayson’s treatment is complex and prolonged, involving careful medication adjustments and supportive care, with progress marked by ups and downs. The NICU staff face emotional challenges in nurturing these vulnerable infants for weeks or months. The video highlights the bittersweet moments when babies like Mason, after long hospital stays, are finally discharged.
Legally, some states classify prenatal drug abuse as child abuse, but Tennessee allows mothers and babies to remain together if the mother is engaged in treatment. Ashton expresses remorse and hope for a better future for her son, determined to break the cycle of addiction she experienced growing up.
Presenters/Contributors:
- Juju Chang (ABC News correspondent)
- Carla Saunders (Head nurse, NICU at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital)
- Ashton (Grayson’s mother)
Category
News and Commentary
