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Tanya Mack and Danielle Brown
National Prematurity Awareness Month
The CDC website explains the reason behind National Prematurity Awareness Month this way, “In 2015, about 1 out of 10 babies was born too early in the United States. Learn about the problem, risk factors, and what we can do to reduce premature birth.
About Premature Birth
Important growth and development occur throughout pregnancy—including in the final months and weeks. Premature (also known as preterm) birth is when a baby is born too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed. The earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of death or serious disability. In 2013, about one-third (36%) of infant deaths were due to preterm-related causes. Babies who survive can have breathing issues, intestinal (digestive) problems, and bleeding in their brains. Long-term problems may include developmental delay (not meeting the developmental milestones for his or her age) and lower performance in school.”
Womens Telehealth’s Tanya Mack sat down with March of Dimes’ State Program Manager, Danielle Brown. Brown explained the extent of occurrence of premature births among Georgia women and how it ranks nationally on the low end of the scale.
We explored some of the reasons behind these troubling numbers, research underway to address it, and strategies being employed around the state to bring needed screening and pre-natal care to expectant mothers.
Danielle talked about why we need to have a National Prematurity Awareness Month and some of the ways it is making a difference.
As Tanya explains, for the first time in eight years, the premature birth rate in the United States increased. Nov. 17 th was World Prematurity Day and this is Prematurity month. Approx. 15 M babies are born annually prematurely and about 1M of these/yr die before their 5 th birthday. Premature birth affects about 1:10 babies in the United States and it remains the leading cause of death in babies in the US.
World wide, it remains the number one reason for infant death as well. Premature birth is defined as a baby born before 37 weeks gestation. Babies born early can not only be at high risk on delivery, but can have health issues such as vision and hearing issues, lung problems and intellectual delays that remain long term problems. Many premature births can be prevented. Join us today as we listen to March of Dimes representatives discuss prematurity and it’s prevention and treatment.
