182 babies born addicted to heroin and cocaine in last six years
More than 180 'junkie babies' born addicted to drugs including heroin and cocaine have been treated in the Black Country and Shropshire in the past six years.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed 182 babies were born with 'neonatal abstinence syndrome' – with 103 of those in Walsall.
The figures have been described as 'heartbreaking' by a Liberal Democrat campaigner.
In Wolverhampton 27 babies were born addicted to drugs or alcohol, with a cost to the NHS of £395,000 to care for them and their symptoms.
In 2016/17 the city's NHS trust paid out £85,000 caring for seven babies at an average cost per patient of £5,300, according to NHS bosses.
In Walsall 103 babies were born with neonatal abstinence syndrome – 23 in 2011/12, 19 in 2012/13, nine in 2013/14, 19 in 2014/15 and 18 in 2016/17.
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals saw 52 babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome in the six-year period.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome symptoms can last from one week up to months and withdrawal depends on the medicines or drugs — and the amounts — the baby was exposed to during pregnancy.
The illness occurs when a woman who has continued abusing substances while pregnant gives birth and the umbilical cord is cut.
The supply of drugs to the baby suddenly stops and the child shows signs of physical withdrawal.
Liberal Democrat campaigner Rob Quarmby, who uncovered the figures with the FOI request, said: "These shocking figures are both horrific and tragic.
"It shows how much more needs to be done to help those in need.
“The NHS need to invest much more cash in specialist medics to help addicted mums-to-be.
"These figures are shocking in themselves,yet they illustrate a wider problem: There are thousands of children in the UK growing up with parents who have a drug problem
“It frankly breaks my heart. We need to do more to help these babies.”
