Family Time
Rate of premature births is increasing; Prematurity is number one cause of newborn death
Prematurity is the number one cause of newborn death and a major cause of lifelong disabilities, including cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, blindness and chronic lung problems.
The rate of preterm births--those that occur before 37 weeks’ gestation--has increased 30 percent in the last two decades. Yet, recent polls show that most Americans are unaware of the problems that preterm births present.
Premature births put a heavy financial and emotional burden on families. Nationwide in 2003, hospital charges for babies with a diagnosis of prematurity or low birthweight was $18.1 billion.
In Milwaukee, 58 percent of infant deaths were a result of prematurity, according to city Health Department statistics for 2004. Black infants are more than three and a half-times more likely to die from complications of prematurity than White or Hispanic infants.
In nearly half of all cases, doctors do not know why a woman delivers prematurely. However, the most commonly identified risk factors include a history of preterm birth, multiple fetuses (such as twins or triplets) and uterine and/or cervical abnormalities. Other risk factors include certain types of infection, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, late or no prenatal care, smoking and use of alcohol or street drugs.
To help reduce the risk of a premature delivery, expectant mothers should:
o Get regular prenatal checkups, starting as soon as they know they are pregnant.
o Avoid use of alcohol, cigarettes and street drugs.
o Try to avoid stress.
o Watch for signs of genitourinary infection and get medical attention immediately if an infection is suspected.
o Maintain a healthy weight. Women who are very overweight or underweight have increased risk of preterm labor.
o Learn the signs of preterm labor and call their health care provider right away if they have any of these warning signs:
- Contractions every 10 minutes or more often.
- Change in the color of their vaginal discharge or vaginal bleeding.
- The feeling the baby is pushing down.
- Low, dull backache.
- Cramps that feel like menstruation pains.
- Belly cramps with or without diarrhea.
Prematurity Awareness Day is part of a month-long campaign to raise awareness of the problem of premature births in the U.S. In an effort to reduce the number of pre-term births, March of Dimes chapters and volunteers across the nation are taking part in campaigns this November to raise public awareness of prematurity as a serious health threat.
Nationally, prematurity campaign sponsors include CIGNA, FedEx, Motherhood Maternity and the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute; the national Prematurity Awareness Month supporter is First Response. In Wisconsin, the Prematurity Awareness Month sponsor is Famous Footwear.
