Babies born dependent on opioids may feel pain more strongly, study finds

(Philly.com, May 16)  The infants of mothers who took opioids while they were pregnant feel pain more than other babies, according to a new study out of Penn State’s College of Medicine.

As a result, these babies may need more support.

The findings were published in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine. Read more.

Read the study:

“Prenatal opioid exposure heightens sympathetic arousal and facial expressions of pain/distress in term neonates at 24–48 hours post birth.”