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The March of Dimes announces National Prematurity Awareness Day will be celebrated on Tuesday November 16, 2004.  Events will be held in the nation’s capital and also on a local scale. 

One in eight babies is born prematurely, before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy, in this country, many without warning and for no known cause, according to the March of Dimes.  Prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death (in the first month of life) and babies who do survive often face chronic health problems and developmental disabilities for the rest of their lives.

In 2003 the March of Dimes launched a five-year, $75 million national campaign to educate women to the signs and symptoms of preterm labor, raise funds to conduct needed research, and reduce the rate of premature birth by 15 percent by 2007. The total national hospital bill for premature babies was estimated at $11.9 billion in 2000, according to a recent March of Dimes analysis.

"The number of babies born too soon has increased dramatically over the past 20 years, with no downturn in sight," says March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer L. Howse. Dr. Howse notes that most Americans today are unaware of the magnitude of this health problem. In a recent March of Dimes national survey of 1,967 adults, only 35 percent of respondents identified prematurity as “very serious” or “extremely serious.” In the same survey, more than 50 percent believed the rate of preterm birth is declining or about the same.

While many of the reasons for premature birth are often unknown, there are several factors that can increase a mother’s risk, including:

 Smoking
 Long, stressful working hours
 Pre-existing medical conditions such as being overweight or diabetes

Some early warning signs include low backache, cramps and early, consistent contractions.  Premature infants face the risk of respiratory problems, learning and neurological disabilities and even death.  If you think you are suffering from symptoms, you should call your doctor immediately.

The rate of premature births in the U.S. is growing and more than 450,000 babies are being born too soon or too small each year, putting them at a greatly increased risk of lifelong physical and mental disabilities. There is so much more that needs to be done to give every baby a healthy start in life. 

To find out how your company can participate and support Prematurity Awareness Day call the local March of Dimes at 407-599-5077 ext. 33.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality.  Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy. For more information, call 407-599-5077 or visit www.modimes.org.