Definition: Rate of substance exposed newborns born in Sarasota Memorial Hospital per 1,000 newborns.

Source: Sarasota Memorial Hospital

2025 Target: 29.88 per 1,000 newborns

In 2016, the rate of Substance Exposed Newborns (SEN) born in Sarasota Memorial Hospital was 43.4 per 1,000 newborns. This is an 88% increase from the 2010 rate of 23.1 per 1,000 newborns. Infants born to substance abusing mothers may suffer both short and long term health and developmental effects. Symptoms depend on what substances are used.

According the Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse and Newborns, “Florida has been the epicenter of prescription drug diversion, resulting in more women using or abusing prescription opioid drugs.” The study explores possible reasons why pregnant women would abuse prescription drugs during pregnancy, including: lack of awareness about the effects of substance use during pregnancy, feelings of guilt, shame or fear that lead women not to admit their substance use to their doctor, and lack of access to prenatal care or rehabilitation services.

One of the major problems highlighted in the study is the lack of a state-wide universal screening tool to test if pregnant women are using substances. Currently, only a verbal description of drug history is required, leading many incidents of SEN births to go unreported. The study recognized the necessity of creating a state-wide awareness campaign for the public, and educating medical professionals about the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, an area that is not focused on in healthcare professional schools. Experts in the field locally also recognize the need to continue the enforcement of regulations regarding the availability of opiates from pain clinics in Florida and the education of physician providers of opiates.