State policies deter doctors from reporting drug-endangered babies
Advertisement
By Duff Wilson and John Shiffman
WASHINGTON - When Congress adopted the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act in 2003, the intent - spelled out in the law - was to ensure protection for drug-dependent newborns, not to punish mothers battling addiction.
But today, a referral to child protection services in some states can put a mother in legal peril - a reality that dissuades some doctors from reporting cases of newborns in drug withdrawal no matter what the federal provisions intended.
"If you're in a state where a report is made and social services are great, they're going to help this mom and get home health care, then that's great," said Renate Savich, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics section on neonatal-perinatal medicine. "But if it's a punitive kind of state, what's the point? So I think some of us just say, 'Let's don't.'"
As a result, there's no uniform national approach to these cases that protects newborns and helps mothers care for them after they leave the hospital. The monitoring of mothers and what becomes of the children is haphazard at best, Reuters found.
WASHINGTON - When Congress adopted the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act in 2003, the intent - spelled out in the law - was to ensure protection for drug-dependent newborns, not to punish mothers battling addiction.
But today, a referral to child protection services in some states can put a mother in legal peril - a reality that dissuades some doctors from reporting cases of newborns in drug withdrawal no matter what the federal provisions intended.
"If you're in a state where a report is made and social services are great, they're going to help this mom and get home health care, then that's great," said Renate Savich, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics section on neonatal-perinatal medicine. "But if it's a punitive kind of state, what's the point? So I think some of us just say, 'Let's don't.'"
As a result, there's no uniform national approach to these cases that protects newborns and helps mothers care for them after they leave the hospital. The monitoring of mothers and what becomes of the children is haphazard at best, Reuters found.
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.