November is prematurity awareness month, a local and national effort to raise awareness towards the leading cause of death for newborns and help local families touched by prematurity.

 

Prematurity has increased at an alarming rate over the past two decades.  Premature births (defines as birth before 37 completed week's gestation) are costly and is the leading cause of death in the first month of life.  More than half a million babies - one of out eight - are born too soon each year, a 20 percent increase since 1990.  And, unfortunately, new statistics released by the National Center for Heath Statistics show only a slight decline in the nation's overall infant mortality rate or in the proporation of infants who died as a result of an early birth.

 

In 2006, Congress passed, and the President signed, the PREEMIE Act, which authorizes increased federal support for research and education on prematurity.  Work continues on appropriation of funding to implement the act's provisions.

 

Babies who survive an early birth face serious lifelong health problems, including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss and other chronic conditions, including asthma.  Even infants born just a few weeks too soon - known as late preterm birth - have a greater risk for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), feeding difficulties, temperature instability (hypothermia), jaundice, delayed brain development and death.

 

Take action now and sign the Petition for Preemies - a campaign to urge federal and state policy makers to move our nation forward to do more to help moms have healthy, full-term babies.

 

Please also join us in making a difference in the lives of families who have been affected by prematurity.

 

We truly appreciate your support!