Perinatal Outcomes
The Acute Care section of the Data Dashboard is comprised of Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Perinatal Outcomes.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
NAS is a group of conditions caused by a newborn’s withdrawal from substances they were exposed to while in the womb. Most commonly, NAS occurs when a baby is exposed to opioids; however, NAS can be a result of other substance exposures. These data show the demographic characteristics of newborns born with neonatal abstinence syndrome among live births occurring at hospitals in Philadelphia.
Rate of NAS per 1,000 Live Born Hospital Births
Key Findings: The neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) diagnosis rate has increased between 2002 and 2016. However, since 2018, the rate of NAS has decreased to 10.7 NAS cases per 1,000 live births in 2021.
Race & Ethnicity of Newborns by NAS Status
Key Findings: In 2021, 53% of newborns with NAS were white, non-Hispanic whereas 30% of all other hospital births were white, non-Hispanic. In total, 31% of newborns with NAS were black, non-Hispanic in 2021 whereas 39% of all other hospital births were black, non-Hispanic.
Insurance of Newborns by NAS Status
Key Findings: In 2021, 90% of newborns with NAS were on public insurance whereas only 60% of all other hospital births were on public insurance.
Newborns with NAS by ZIP Code of Residence
Key Findings: The highest concentration of newborns with NAS are residents of the 19134 ZIP code. This ZIP Code is the focal point of opioid use in Philadelphia.
Maternal Opioid Use or Dependence
Neonatal abstinence syndrome most often occurs when a newborn is exposed to opioids in the womb before birth. The following data show trends in opioid use and dependence among Philadelphia parents delivering a live-born baby in a hospital.
Rate of Maternal Opioid Use or Dependence per 1,000 Live Hospital Births
Key Findings: The rate of maternal opioid use or dependence has increased between 2002 and 2016. However, since 2018, the rate of maternal opioid use or dependence has decreased to 11.8 cases per 1,000 live births in 2021.
Age Category of People Giving Birth by Opioid Use or Dependence Diagnoses
Key Findings: In 2021, 68% of people with opioid use or dependence who gave birth were between the ages of 25-34 years. Among all other people who gave birth in 2021, 57% were between the ages of 25-34 years.
Race and Ethnicity of People Giving Birth by Opioid Use or Dependence Diagnoses
Key Findings: In 2021, 52% of people with opioid use or dependence who gave birth were white, non-Hispanic whereas only 30% of all other people giving birth were white, non-Hispanic. Of the people with opioid use or dependence who gave birth, 37% were Black, non-Hispanic whereas 40% of all other people who gave birth were Black, non-Hispanic.
Insurance Status of People Giving Birth by Opioid Use or Dependence Diagnoses
Key Findings: In 2021, 94% of people with opioid use or dependence who gave birth were on public insurance whereas only 59% of all other people who gave birth were on public insurance.