Life as expectant parents is joyous and
celebratory. In most cases, babies arrive on time, healthy and ready to head
home with Mom and Dad. But for the more than half a million American babies
born prematurely each year, this often isn’t the case. Many parents of preterm
infants are unprepared for the special medical care preemies often require.
According to a March of Dimes survey, this is because most expecting parents
don’t discuss preterm birth with their doctor during prenatal care, even if
they are at high risk. On November 17 - World Prematurity Day - we’re hoping to help change this.
Despite recent slight declines in rates
of prematurity, 1,400 babies are still born prematurely in the United States
every day, and 13 million babies are affected by prematurity around the world.
Prematurity, defined as being born before 37 weeks completed gestation, disrupts
a baby’s development in the womb, often stunting the growth of some of the
body’s most critical organs. At birth, preemies often have difficulty with
breathing, feeding and maintaining temperature. Because their immune systems
haven’t had time to fully mature, preterm infants are more likely to develop
infections, and because their lungs are underdeveloped, they are more
susceptible to respiratory problems.
For example, nearly every baby contracts
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by age two. In most full-term babies,
symptoms are similar to those of the common cold and parents may not even know
their child has the virus. However, because they don’t have the antibodies
needed to fight off infection, preterm infants—even those born just a few weeks
early—are at increased risk for developing an RSV-related infection, often
requiring medical attention or hospitalization. Parents should speak with their
pediatrician to find out if their baby is at high risk for developing severe
RSV disease, and how they can prevent against RSV this winter.
RSV
Quick Facts:
·
RSV is the
leading cause of infant hospitalization, responsible for more than 125,000
hospitalizations and up to 500 infant deaths each year.
·
RSV occurs in
epidemics each fall through spring. The CDC has defined “RSV season” as
beginning in November and lasting through March for most parts of North
America.
·
Certain regions
have longer RSV seasons than others, with the season beginning as early as July
(e.g., Florida) or ending in April.
·
Despite its
prevalence, one-third of mothers have never heard of RSV.
Prevention
is Key:
There is no treatment for RSV, so it’s
important for parents to take the following preventive steps to help protect
their child:
·
Wash hands, toys,
bedding, and play areas frequently
·
Ensure you, your
family, and any visitors in your home wash their hands or use hand sanitizer
·
Avoid large
crowds and people who may be sick
·
Never let anyone
smoke near your baby
·
Speak with your
child’s doctor if you believe he or she may be at high risk for RSV, as a
preventive therapy may be available
Be
Aware of Symptoms:
Contact your child’s pediatrician immediately
if your child exhibits one or more of the following:
·
Persistent
coughing or wheezing
·
Rapid, difficult,
or gasping breaths
·
Blue color on the
lips, mouth, or under the fingernails
·
High fever
·
Extreme fatigue
·
Difficulty
feeding
Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
