drug use by the parents increases the health risks for children -
Children whose parents or caregivers abuse alcohol or use , produce or distribute drugs face an increased risk of medical and behavioral problems. A new clinical report by experts from Beth Israel Medical Center (BIDMC) and the Children's Hospital Boston, pediatricians are in a unique position to assess the risk and intervene to protect children. The report, "the families affected by parental substance use," is available online today and scheduled for publication in the August print edition of Pediatrics , the journal of the American Association of Pediatrics.
"alcohol abuse and substance use are extremely common in this country, and the use of parents or caregivers substances can affect their ability to forge ever physical and emotional needs of basic priorities their children and provide a safe and stimulating environment, "says co-author Vincent C. Smith, MD, MPH, a neonatologist at BIDMC and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School (HMS)." Because these children are risk of physical or emotional harm, pediatricians should know how to assess the risk of a child and support the family to get the help they need. "
it is estimated that one child in five in the United States grew up in a home where someone is abusing alcohol or a disorder of substance use, the authors write. Whether against the toxic effects of exposure to these substances or neglect of their basic needs by parents or guardians struggling with substance abuse problems, children of these households generally have developmental delays and education and, later, are at greater risk for mental health and behavior problems. They are also more likely than their peers to have consumer disorders substances themselves later in life.
In their report, Smith and co-author Celeste R. Wilson, MD, medical director of the child protection program at Boston Children's Hospital and assistant professor of pediatrics at HMS, examined the clinical signs of exposure of the fetus to alcohol, cannabis, stimulants and opioids. Pediatricians should be increasingly on the lookout for signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), irritability, muscle stiffness, diarrhea - even seizures - that can result from prenatal exposure to opioids. Recent research indicates that 22,000 American babies were diagnosed in 2012 with NAS, the authors write, adding that more than a quarter of pregnant women were prescribed opioid analgesics during pregnancy, according to a separate study.
citing studies that say children whose parents use drugs and alcohol misuse are three times more likely to be physically, sexually or emotionally abused and four times more likely to be neglected than their peers, the authors urge all pediatricians to include questions on the substance of the use of carers within the evaluation of the family routine. Some warning signs of abuse and neglect include: injuries and easy bruising, especially in groups or in patterns that could indicate a contact with a hand, belt or other instrument; children who are withdrawn, fearful or Flinch to sudden movements; dental care or lack of vaccination; or ill-fitting, dirty or inappropriate clothing.
"Because pediatricians are the most likely to encounter families with young children who may be affected by the use of health care providers substances, they have the opportunity to help break multi-generational cycles of abuse, "the authors write." by being informed on the effects of drug use of parents on children, they can intervene if necessary. "
the authors provide examples of scripts to help clinicians begin a potentially bad talk at ease, noting that research suggests parents who screened positive for substance use are open to pediatricians by presenting them with tracking options such as community treatment programs. in the wake of these conversations, caregivers who do not choose treatment can still achieve some damage reduction by reducing or changing their substance, even if they do not refrain completely, Smith and Wilson noted.
"Pediatricians identifying substance abuse problems in a family are not supposed to solve, manage or treat these questions, but they can work with other professionals to provide families with access to resources" write Smith and Wilson. "Through screening, pediatricians have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the entire family affected by substance use."
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