The Unknown Dangers of Kratom on Vulnerable Neonates

Abstract

In the realm of herbal supplements, Kratom, often marketed as a harmless herbal remedy, unveils a darker reality as newborns enter the world struggling with intense withdrawal symptoms (Eldridge et al., 2018). Made from the leaves of a plant native to Southeast Asia and Africa, Kratom is readily available as an herbal supplement, marketed for its relaxation and mood-enhancing properties. Despite its portrayal as a harmless substance, Kratom operates on the same brain receptor sites as opioids, inducing a sense of euphoria when consumed at higher doses, and mirroring the psychological effects of these potent drugs. Sold openly at gas stations and not FDA-approved, Kratom takes on various forms, from chewable leaves to brewed tea or liquid ingestion. The ease of access to Kratom, often masked as a harmless, herbal remedy, puts many vulnerable individuals at risk, as they unknowingly introduce a dangerous substance to their bodies (Eldridge et al., 2018). This issue becomes particularly concerning when pregnant women, perhaps unaware of the potential risks, consume Kratom throughout pregnancy. The consequence is neonates beginning life in distress, exhibiting symptoms such as seizures, tremors, sleeping and feeding problems, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, and fever. Deception lurks in the marketing of Kratom as an herbal tea, leaving women and children vulnerable to the adverse effects of this drug. This dangerous substance requires a closer examination of its severe side effects on mothers who use Kratom during pregnancy. Neonates born to mothers who used Kratom face the challenge of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), a consequence often concealed from public awareness. The development of research and the spread of information on this topic is pivotal in addressing the hidden dangers of Kratom use. The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness about this critical concern, and ultimately decrease the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome resulting from maternal Kratom use by providing a comprehensive literature review of existing research articles (Eldridge et al., 2018).