New Data Shows Up To 90 Babies Are Born With Drug Withdrawal Symptoms Each Year

New data has shown that an alarming number of babies are born with illicit drug withdrawals in South Australia each year.

Such is the epidemic, the report shows that as many as 90 babies were born that were deemed 'drug affected' in the period from 2016-2017.

The specific type of drugs involved have not been disclosed, but SA Health has said that it includes both prescription and non-prescription opiates.

The impact of drug-dependence on babies can affect their behaviour and development of healthy sleep habits, with these babies also more irritable, crying more and sometimes having trouble feeding.

In order to treat this in the newborns, treatments can be provided which range from swaddling to administering sedatives.