Importance Children exposed to substance use during pregnancy have increased health needs but whether these are influenced by engagement in out-of-home care is uncertain.

Objective: To evaluate the association between substance use during pregnancy, out-of-home care and hospitalization utilization, and costs from birth up to age 20 years.

Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective cohort study using individual-linked population birth, hospital, and out-of-home care information of all liveborn infants from New South Wales, Australia, between 2001 and 2020 using longitudinal population-based linkage records from administrative databases. Substance use during pregnancy included newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome (n = 5946) and intrauterine exposure to drugs of addiction (n = 1260) and other substances (eg, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs or misused prescription drugs; n = 202 098). Children not exposed to substance use during pregnancy were those without known exposure to substance use during pregnancy (n = 1 611 351). Data were analyzed from July 2001 to December 2021.

Main Outcomes: Main outcomes were hospital readmission, length of stay, and cost burden associated with substance use during pregnancy from birth up to age 20 years. Outcomes were investigated using 2-part and Poisson regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. Mediation analysis was used to evaluate whether the association of substance use during pregnancy with risk of readmission was mediated through engagement with out-of-home care….Excess hospital costs associated with substance use during pregnancy were A$129.0 million in 2019 to 2020. Mediation analyses showed that any out-of-home care contact mediated the association between substance use during pregnancy and risk of inpatient readmission and lower health care cost (decreased by A$25.4 million). For children with neonatal abstinence syndrome, any out-of-home care contact mediated readmission risk by approximately 30%, from adjusted RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.19-1.35, to RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.98-1.02.

Conclusion and Relevance: Children who were exposed to substance use during pregnancy incurred more hospital costs than children who were not exposed up to 20 years of age, but this was reduced in association with any contact with out-of-home care. This provides insights into possible strategies for reducing health and financial burdens associated with exposure to substance use during pregnancy for children.

For complete research

An article from Medium examines the impact of parental drinking habits on children. It highlights that children are highly observant and can be influenced by their parents’ behaviour, including their alcohol consumption. The piece cites studies showing that children who grow up in households where drinking is frequent are more likely to develop similar habits themselves.

The article also discusses the importance of setting a positive example and being mindful of how often and in what context parents consume alcohol in front of their children. It suggests that parents should consider the long-term effects their drinking habits might have on their children’s attitudes toward alcohol and overall well-being.

Also see 

• Parent Modelling of Drinking Important
• Feeling Nothing, Craving Everything: ACOA (Adult Children Of Alcoholics Syndrome)

(Source: WRD News)

College students’ drinking habits are significantly influenced by communication with their parents, a dynamic that demands urgent scrutiny. The findings underline the necessity for robust preventive measures and strict regulations. Legalising or normalising alcohol consumption on campus without addressing these parental influences is recklessly negligent.

Parental Communication as a Preventive Tool: The study reveals the powerful role of parental communication in shaping students’ drinking behaviours. Frequent and supportive texts from parents can deter excessive alcohol consumption and promote healthier choices. Ignoring this preventive tool in favour of lenient alcohol policies is dangerously short-sighted. Encouraging open dialogue between parents and students is pivotal for effective prevention.

The Risks of Neglecting Parental Influence: Neglecting the influence of parental communication when considering alcohol policies is a grave mistake. Parents play a critical role in guiding their children’s behaviour, and disregarding this aspect can lead to increased risks of alcohol abuse. Effective strategies must include educating parents on how to communicate effectively with their college-bound children about the dangers of drinking.

Comprehensive Preventive Measures Needed: To address college drinking habits comprehensively, preventive measures must go beyond campus policies. This includes integrating parental guidance programs, public awareness initiatives, and stricter regulations on alcohol availability. Legalising or loosely regulating alcohol without such frameworks is irresponsibly dangerous. Prevention and responsible regulation are key to protecting students’ well-being and academic achievements.

(Source: WRD News)

With a growing voice for greater permission for illicit substance use in some cultures and entrenched addiction for profit industries like Big Alcohol and Big Cannabis, where should the policy priorities lie?

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Family connectedness, particularly at meal times – excellent protective factor: The scientists are catching up – Research confirms what all community minded and family valuing people know. Family togetherness is a key to not only better health and well-being, but also building resilience into the emerging adult – resilience that can make it easier for them to avoid the substance use trap. (https://worldresiliencyday.org) 

“Eating dinner together at least 3 or 4 times per week has positive effects on child development and has been linked to children’s lower rates of overweight and obesity, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, depression, and eating disorders; higher self-esteem; and better academic performance. Eating family meals also has nutritional benefits. Families who eat dinner together eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer fried foods and sugary drinks. Family meals also help adults and children learn to like a variety of foods.” (Source: JAMA Paediatrics)