Evaluation of State-Mandated Reporting of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome — Six States, 2013–2017

• DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6801a2
• Publication Date: 2019-01-10T10:41:25Z
• Authors: Shahla M. Jilani; Meghan T. Frey; Dawn Pepin; Tracey Jewell; Melissa Jordan,; Angela M. Miller; Meagan Robinson; Tomi St. Mars; Michael Bryan; Jean Y. Ko; Elizabeth C. Ailes; Russell F. McCord; Julie Gilchrist; Sarah Foster; Jennifer N. Lind; Lindsay Culp; Matthew S. Penn; Jennita Reefhuis
• Keywords: Public health surveillance

From 2004 to 2014, the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in United States increased 433%, from 1.5 8.0 per 1,000 hospital births. The latest national data 2014 indicate that one baby was born with signs NAS every 15 minutes (1). is a drug withdrawal most commonly occurs among infants after utero exposure opioids, although other substances have also been associated NAS. Prenatal opioid has poor fetal growth, preterm birth, stillbirth, and possible specific birth defects (2-5). surveillance often depended on discharge data, which historically underestimate are not available real time, thus limiting states' ability quickly direct public health resources (6,7). This evaluation focused six states state laws implementing required case reporting for during 2013-2017 reviews implementation laws, officials' reports quality before were passed, advantages challenges legally mandating absence definition. Using standardized search terms an online legal research database, medical facilities departments (SHDs) or SHDs legislative body identified. SHD officials these completed questionnaire followed by semistructured telephone interview clarify open-text responses questionnaire. Variability found type number elements reported how used data. Following implementation, five identified receiving within 30 days diagnosis. Mandated allowed quantify their inform programs services. information might be useful considering mandatory surveillance.