Stephen Patrick

May 11, 2017

Hepatitis C infections among pregnant women increasing

Hepatitis C infections among pregnant women nearly doubled from 2009-2014, likely a consequence of the country’s increasing opioid epidemic that is disproportionately affecting rural areas of states including Tennessee and West Virginia.

By Craig Boerner
May 4, 2017

Study finds male infants at increased risk for NAS

Male infants are more likely at birth than their female counterparts to be diagnosed with drug withdrawal symptoms, also known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and to require treatment, according to a new Vanderbilt study published in Hospital Pediatrics.

By Christina Echegaray
February 20, 2017

American Academy of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt neonatologist urge public health approach for women who use opioids during pregnancy

By VUMC News and Communications
December 15, 2016

Babies born with opioid withdrawal disproportionately increasing in rural areas

An increasing number of newborns are being born with drug withdrawal symptoms from opioids in rural areas of the United States as compared to births in urban areas, according to a JAMA Pediatrics study.

By Craig Boerner
Image of pain pills (iStock Photo)
June 23, 2016

Drug monitoring programs reduce opioid deaths: study

The implementation of state prescription drug monitoring programs was associated with the prevention of approximately one opioid-related overdose death every two hours on average nationwide, according to a new Vanderbilt-led study released this week in the journal “Health Affairs.”

By Christina Echegaray
June 9, 2016

Children’s Hospital physicians honored by Tennessee pediatrics society

The Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has awarded top accolades to two physicians at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt for their commitment to children, families and the practice of pediatrics.

By Christina Echegaray
April 15, 2016

Standardizing care improves outcomes for infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome

Standardizing hospital care policies across institutions for infants diagnosed with drug withdrawal symptoms at birth reduces their length of treatment and hospitalization, according to new research led by Vermont Oxford Network, Vanderbilt and the University of Michigan Health System.
By Christina Echegaray
December 1, 2015

Higher cigarette taxes linked to fewer infant deaths

Higher taxes and prices for cigarettes are strongly associated with lower infant mortality rates in the United States, according to a new study from Vanderbilt University and the University of Michigan released Dec. 1 in the journal Pediatrics.
By Christina Echegaray
October 1, 2015

Infants born with NAS more likely to be readmitted: Study

Infants diagnosed with drug withdrawal symptoms at birth, also known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), are nearly 2.5 times as likely to be readmitted to the hospital in the first month after being discharged compared with full-term infants born without complications, according to new Vanderbilt research released in the journal Hospital Pediatrics.
By Christina Echegaray
June 29, 2015

VUMC’s Patrick speaks to members of congress about neonatal abstinence syndrome

Stephen Patrick, M.D., MPH, assistant professor of Pediatrics and Health Policy in the Division of Neonatology with the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, recently testified before congress about the rise in neonatal abstinence syndrome.
By VUMC News and Communications
April 30, 2015

Babies born with drug withdrawal symptoms on rise

The number of infants born in the United States with drug withdrawal symptoms, also known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), nearly doubled in a four-year period.
By Christina Echegaray
April 13, 2015

Vanderbilt study finds babies exposed to narcotic pain relievers more likely to experience drug withdrawal syndrome

Legally prescribed narcotics taken during pregnancy can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome, especially in combination with tobacco or SSRIs.
By Christina Echegaray
July 17, 2014

Care for newborns with drug withdrawal uneven: study

In the United States, one infant is born each hour with drug withdrawal, known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), after being exposed to opioid medications like oxycodone in utero.
By VUMC News and Communications