Helsinki University Hospital reports treating one to two newborns weekly for substance withdrawal. These infants require medical care immediately after birth due to maternal drug use during pregnancy.
Regular substance use creates dependency that passes to unborn babies. Medical professionals confirm this concerning pattern in Finland's most populous region.
Most affected infants come from mothers using multiple substances or opioids. Withdrawal symptoms can persist for days or weeks in newborns.
Babies experience crying spells and feeding difficulties during withdrawal. "If the mother uses opioids, the child may show symptoms for several weeks," said Jari Petäjä, head of pediatric services at the hospital.
Though numbers remain small, specialists describe the situation as serious. Substance use during pregnancy affects central nervous system development.
"The number of substance users hasn't increased dramatically, but the types and amounts of drugs vary," noted Hanna Kahila, a specialist obstetrician at the hospital's women's clinic.
Doctors call for more preventive treatment and low-threshold services for pregnant substance users. The hospital seeks earlier intervention opportunities.
This situation reveals hidden social challenges even in developed Nordic welfare states. Despite Finland's comprehensive healthcare system, vulnerable families still fall through safety nets.