A statewide survey of public health departments shows that Ashland County has the highest rate of infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, a condition that’s caused by mothers who are abusing illegal or prescription drugs.
Cyndi Zach, a public health administrator in Ashland County, began seeing cases where infants had symptoms of withdrawal a couple years ago, but she said the survey results still took her by surprise.
“We’re seeing increasing numbers of newborns coming out … with the syndrome, but we never realized we were that high,” said Zach.
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Roughly 27 babies out of every 1,000 births in the county have NAS, according to a survey last year by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The statistics cover a five-year period. Zach said there are around 180 births each year among the county’s roughly 16,000 residents.
According to state figures, other counties at the top of the list for rates of infants born with symptoms of withdrawal include Vilas, Bayfield, Manitowoc, Burnett and Marinette counties.
The Wisconsin DHS was not immediately available for comment.
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