An Opioid NAS Lawyer in Memphis TN Discusses Opioid Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Opioid neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is sometimes also referred to as neonatal withdrawal. It’s a condition that describes infants who were exposed in-utero to an opioid drug via the mother’s intake of that drug.
At Darrell Castle & Associates, PLLC, we have seen the sad results of a baby suffering from NAS. If your child has this condition, you may be eligible to receive compensation from the negligent medical caregivers and opioid manufacturer. Call us to speak with an opioid NAS lawyer from our Memphis TN firm and request a free consultation.
NAS comes in two forms:
1. Prenatal. This is when a pregnant mother takes addictive opioid drugs during pregnancy which results in her unborn baby developing an addiction to that opioid.
2. Postnatal. This is when a pregnant mother takes addictive opioid drugs during pregnancy which results in her unborn baby developing an addiction to that opioid drug, but the infant does not receive that drug after birth in order to feed their addiction. It is as if the infant is forced to “go cold turkey” which is a slang phrase for immediately and completely going off the drug.
Symptoms of Opioid NAS
Opioid NAS symptoms can start as soon as one-to-three days after the child is born, or as much as a week to develop. As a result, the infant may have to stay in the hospital for observation and possible treatment. As with adults, if the infant is born with an addiction to opioids, they will experience withdrawal if they do not receive dosages of that drug. The level of severity can be affected by how the mother ingested the opioid, and how long she used the drug before getting pregnant. Common symptoms of infant opioid NAS include:
· Acting irritable
· Regurgitation or poor appetite
· Diarrhea
· High-pitched or shrill crying that continues for a long time
· Seizures
· Tremors
· Difficulty with sleeping
· Yawning
· High temperature
· Nasal congestion or flaring
· Blotchy skin
· Severe diaper rash
· Convulsions
Treatment of Infants with Opioid NAS
There are various methods to treat babies who suffer from opioid NAS. Very often, the baby is dosed with drugs to help wean them off of the opioid. In some cases, this is not necessary as other methods may be effective. In all scenarios, it is necessary to closely monitor the health and well-being of the child for progress as well as side effects. Treatment can be very costly, which is why many parents of opioid NAS children retain the services of an opioid NAS lawyer to seek financial retribution from those responsible.
Protect Your Family’s Rights
If you were prescribed an opiate while pregnant, you may have legal recourse. At Darrell Castle & Associates, PLLC, we are working to protect the rights of mothers and their babies who suffer from NAS. You may be eligible for a settlement from a personal injury claim or a class action lawsuit against negligent physicians and pharmaceutical companies that manufacture opioids. Contact an opioid NAS lawyer in Memphis TN clients recommend today to find out if you are eligible for compensation which can pay for your child’s NAS medical bills and related costs.