P.E.I. doctor sees increase in methadone babies

The number of newborns going through methadone withdrawal on P.E.I. is causing problems in Island hospitals.

'These babies don't snuggle into you. They get stiff when you pick them up.' — Dr. Kathy Bigsby

There are no official numbers of how many babies are affected, but pediatrician Dr. Kathy Bigsby told CBC News on Friday that it is clearly a growing issue.

"Just recently we have had many more mothers who are taking methadone through pregnancy," said Bigsby.

"That has presented problems not just for the babies, but for our health-care system."

The mothers are taking methadone as a treatment for addictions to heroin or painkillers such as dilaudid or oxycontin. The drug crosses the placenta to the baby during pregnancy, creating a physical dependency. After birth, with the supply of the drug cut off, the babies have to remain in hospital while they go through withdrawal.

Bigsby said watching that is heartbreaking.

"[They're] not just cranky. They scream, like they are in agony," she said.

"Babies are soft cuddly people who snuggle into you. These babies don't snuggle into you. They get stiff when you pick them up; they don't settle.

Morphine treatment

Some of the babies need morphine to help them go through withdrawal. Bigsby said women on methadone need to know how their babies could suffer.

"I think it would be wise for a women taking methadone to be counseled not to become pregnant," she said.

"Sometimes it's a little bit after the fact when it comes to attention, which is the value of having general knowledge in the community that this really is a risk for babies."

Bigsby says doctors and nurses working with women who are addicted are working on the problem.