The number of babies who were exposed to heroin or prescription opioids during pregnancy has reached epidemic levels, but what does this really mean for the child and parents? During this presentation, we will discuss the experiences of pregnant women with substance use disorders and how a newborn’s opioid withdrawal is assessed and treated. We will also discuss infant exposure to other substances including tobacco, marijuana, illicit drugs, non-prescribed medications and prescribed psychiatric medications. Finally, we will review what is currently known about health and developmental outcomes after discharge home from the hospital.  Facilitators: Dr. Dennis Hand & Dr. Neera Goyal

Registration is required for all events.

Dr. Hand is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Thomas Jefferson University. He is also the Associate Director of TJU’s Maternal Addiction Treatment, Education, and Research program, which has been developing and providing treatment for substance use disorders to pregnant women in Philadelphia since the 1970s. Dr. Hand has conducted federally-funded research on the assessment of newborn withdrawal and behavioral and pharmacological interventions to improve health among women with substance use disorders.

Dr. Goyal is a primary care pediatrician and Medical Director of the Well Baby Nursery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She has conducted federally funded research on home visiting and health care utilization for young infants. Her current research focuses on improving health care for infants affected by maternal substance use disorder.