Interactive Maps Provide New Data on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Hospitalizations

The national rate of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in 2016 was 7.0 per 1,000 newborn hospitalizations, according to data recently added to AHRQ's online Fast Stats. The rate increased every year since 2008, when 2.9 babies per 1,000 were afflicted with the condition. Part of AHRQ’s Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Fast Stats is an interactive resource that provides national and state-specific information on trends in inpatient utilization, costs and mortality. The new data show that NAS rates increased in nearly all 45 states that provided data, as well as in the District of Columbia. The data represent approximately 90 percent of U.S. births in 2016. NAS-related hospitalization rates are presented overall as well as by sex, expected payer, community-level income and patient location. The number of NAS newborn hospitalizations, median hospitalization cost and median length of stay are also presented.