It’s unclear if there are long-term health impacts for children born to opiate-addicted mothers who get through their first weeks of life okay. Some but not all studies on the question have found those kids grow up with a higher risk of developmental problems, according to Patrick.

What is clear is that babies born in opiate withdrawal significantly drive up health care costs.

According to the study, the average hospital stay for a newborn in withdrawal averages 16 days, compared to just three days for other newborns. Care costs were more than five times higher.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/01/health-babies-opiates-idUSL4E8G10AH20120501

Related articles

• More babies born to US women who use opiates: Study (todayonline.com)
• More Babies Born Addicted to Opiates (abcnews.go.com)