Almost 100 babies severely affected by drugs born last year

Consequences include low birthweight and reduced head growth

Hospitals across the country recorded 94 instances of a newborn baby being recorded as suffering from complications caused by their mother's substance misuse in 2019. Picture: Getty

Hospitals recorded a baby born either addicted to or severely affected by drugs almost 100 times last year.

The figures, which were provided in response to a Freedom of Information request from the HSE’s Hospital Inpatient Enquiry (HIPE) system, show that hospitals across the country recorded 94 instances of a newborn baby being recorded as suffering from complications caused by their mother's substance misuse.

However, the HSE did not provide a breakdown of the drugs ...