AMA Publishing Group: Perinatal Drug Exposure Topic Collection http://pubs.jamanetwork.com/ en-us Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:50:52 GMT Silverchair editor@pubs.jamanetwork.com webmaster@pubs.jamanetwork.com Epidemic of Prescription Opiate Abuse and Neonatal Abstinence Prescription Opiate Abuse and Neonatal Abstinence http://pubs.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1151509 Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Hayes MJ, Brown MS. <span class="paragraphSection">In this issue of JAMA, Patrick et al describe the effects on newborn infants of the widespread availability of prescription opiate medications. These medications provide superior pain control for cancer and chronic pain, but have been overprescribed, diverted, and sold illegally, creating a new opiate addiction pathway and a public health burden for maternal and child health. Overdose mortality and dependence rates are highest among disadvantaged, young adults in rural areas (eg, Maine and Kentucky).</span> 307 18 1974 1975 10.1001/jama.2012.4526 http://pubs.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1151509