Fifty-eight newborn babies were treated in hospital last year after being born addicted to illegal drugs including heroin.
A further 19 newborns had to be treated because they were badly affected by their mother’s use of such substances. And 11 infants were hospitalised after being born addicted to legal drugs, like benzodiazepines, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Dr Mary McCaffrey, a consultant gynaecologist, said: “That’s probably the tip of the iceberg because a lot of babies may not even be identified.” Research has found almost every drug and medicine passes from the mother to her unborn baby.
