According to , a startling new epidemic reminiscent of the 1980’s is occurring across the country. Doctors say they are seeing more babies than ever before born addicted to prescription drug medications.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reported prescription drug overdose deaths in Florida are up a staggering 265% since 2003. But it”s not just the deaths that have Florida officials worried; it”s the births.

Almost 700 Florida babies were born addicted to prescription drugs in the first half of 2010 alone. A startling statistic that means the babies’ mothers abused prescription drugs while they ere pregnant.

A nurse at the Broward General Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit described the agony the babies go through while they are in withdrawal. “They”re crampy, miserable. They sweat. They can have rapid breathing. Sometimes, they can even have seizures,” she said.

Doctors are reporting seeing more babies with unusually stuff arms and legs, vomiting and insomnia.

Adding to the problem, women cannot simply safely stop taking the drugs immediately, it needs to be under medical supervision. They need to be weaned off slowly or else the baby will go through withdrawal in the womb.

Health officials say the prescription drug epidemic is just too new to understand the long-term damage those born addicted face in the future. But doctors warn that if a mother is addicted to prescription drugs and abusing them, the baby is much more likely to be abused and neglected.