Neonatal abstinence syndrome is focus of First Lady’s visit
Kids and their health took center stage during First Lady Melania Trump’s visit to Cincinnati Children’s on Feb. 5, especially babies born exposed to opioids.
The medical center alone cares for about 400 new babies a year with symptoms of withdrawal and provides more than 1,000 follow-up visits. Cincinnati Children’s is jointly working to combat the widespread problem with regional maternity hospitals and through the statewide Ohio Perinatal Collaborative.
“Mrs. Trump was very interested in the collaborative engagement. Together, we have used universal screening and standardized protocols to identify infants exposed to opioids in the womb and to improve their care,” says Peggy Hostetter, MD, Chair of Pediatrics and director of the Research Foundation. The efforts have decreased the length of hospitalization and the number of babies in need of medication.
Before Mrs. Trump left, she met with patients and families in the playroom and delivered a special White House Valentine’s Day card.
