CLEMSON, S.C. (WSPA) - Researchers at Clemson University said infant opioid withdrawal is a bigger issue than people may think.

“If mom takes opioids during pregnancy, babies are then born dependent on whatever drug she took during pregnancy. We don't say babies are addicted, but they are dependent on that drug when they're born,” said Rachel Mayo, Professor of Public Health Sciences at Clemson University.

October marks National Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) month.

“Usually moms who are taking opioids have been given a prescription,” said Mayo. “Maybe they had an accident, a motor vehicle accident. They had a back injury and they were prescribed opioids. Opioids are highly addictive. So then what happens is she is now dependent and addicted to these opioids, and then she becomes pr

See Full Page