Babies Born Substance-exposed (2012–2024)

Definition

This indicator reflects the number of infants born in Maine where a healthcare provider reported to the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) that there was reasonable cause to suspect the baby may be exposed to certain substances, possibly demonstrating withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal substance exposure (illicit or prescribed), or have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. This measure potentially excludes instances where the infant was exposed to substances and did not show withdrawal symptoms after birth, instances where the birth of an infant affected by substances was not reported to OCFS, and any other instances in which there were discrepancies between reporters when interpreting the law. The numerator is the number of babies reported to the Maine Office for Children and Family Services as born substance-exposed by parent residence and the denominator is the number of births in a calendar year in Maine by parent residence.

Data Source

Maine Office of Child and Family Services, (OCFS) of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the number of babies born substance-exposed in a year. The State of Maine Office of Vital Statistics for the number of births in the same calendar year.

Notes

Please Note:  Referrals to Maine Office of Children and Family Services for babies born substance-exposed vary by Reporting Hospitals.

Updated 1/16/2026 to reflect numbers for parents county of residence instead of reporting county.

Last Updated

2026-01