Policy review and formulation on substance‐exposed infants

Abstract

Attention to the problems of infants exposed to drugs in utero has only recently received public acknowledgement as a social issue that has reached epidemic proportions. Drug abuse is now a primary cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Current data indicates that the occurrence of substance‐exposed infants (SEI) or infants that have been exposed to harmful drugs in utero has been increasing at an alarming rate over the past few years, and, consequentially, there has been a marked rise in the number of such children entering the nation's schools. The scope of the problem can best be described by an overview of some of the current studies. Such an overview is provided herein, along with a review of relevant public policy and recommendations for policy formulation in this area.