Reversing the trend of babies born too soon

Nov. 2, 1007 - Premature birth is the No. 1 cause of infant death in this country, and its incidence has reached epidemic proportions.

Since 1985, the rate of preterm births has increased 30 percent, according to Susan Smith, senior community director for the Chesapeake chapter of the March of Dimes. In Virginia, the rate increased more than 5 percent between 1994 and 2004.

Estimates show that some 7,000 special needs children live in Chesapeake alone, with problems that run the gamut. However, Smith contends that 90 percent of those children were born with low birth weight or were premature.

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center and the Chesapeake chapter are now partnering to raise awareness and other offer programs to support research, education, community programs and advocacy for the prevention of birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

The two organizations officially become partners in October, just in time to celebrate Prematurity Awareness Month in November. It also coincides with the opening of Chesapeake Regional’s new specialty level nursery and antepartum unit.

Various reasons are at the root of the increased incidence of premature births, said Smith, ranging from poor lifestyle choices to toxins in the environment. Sometimes the trigger is genetic or hormonal. Other times there is no apparent cause. “A mom can do everything right and still have a premature baby,” Smith noted.

For more information about premature births, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com