prematurity

Prematurity is when a baby is born before 37 weeks gestation; 37-42 weeks is considered full term. While huge strides have been made in caring for preterm infants, prematurity can lead to a host of short and long-term health, developmental or behavioral problems. Some of these include cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease, blindness and hearing loss. Premature babies are treated in special hospital wards called Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). Very premature babies can spend months on the NICU.

According to the March of Dimes, prematurity is the number one killer of newborns, one in eight US babies is born prematurely, and premature babies cost ten times more than healthy babies.

While the causes are often unknown, certain conditions are linked to prematurity, including diabetes, heart or kidney disease, infections, and multiple pregnancies (twins, etc). Smoking, drug or alcohol use, and teen pregnancy can also contribute. The best way to help prevent prematurity is early and regular prenatal care.

You'll find bloggers talking about prematurity at sites like Preemie World, Twin Peas Blog and Podcast, and Mike & Ollie: 24-Weekers Who Beat the Odds.

by Susbear Are you a writer, passionate about this or any other topic? Join Blogcritics!

Original Technorati articles tagged “prematurity”

• in Technorati Women
  Drug Company Still Under Fire for High Cost of Prematurity Prevention Drug
  Despite lowering drug cost by more than half, KV Pharmaceutical is still under criticism from doctors and public.
  by Susbear / on Apr 4, 2011
• in Technorati Women
  KV Pharmaceutical Increases Prematurity Drug Costs by 100 Times
  Armed with and FDA-approved exclusive branded form of synthetic progesterone, company jacks price from $15 to $1500 per weekly dose.
  by Susbear / on Mar 29, 2011
• in Technorati Women
  Lighting Up for Prematurity Awareness Day
  The Empire State building will turn purple November 17, lighting its tower in honor of National Prematurity Awareness Day.
  by Susbear / on Nov 17, 2010

Latest blogosphere posts tagged “prematurity”

 

• My Story and March of Dimes

  
  — Authority:
  As most of you who read my blog know, I am the mom of twins.  They are the loves of my life.  They are now happy, healthy eight year olds.  But, we were not always this lucky.  My story is that by the time I was 25 weeks along in my pregnancy, I was measuring as big as an “average” woman at full-term with a ...
  2 weeks ago

• Supporting Healthy Babies: Healthy Pregnancy For Reducing Prematurity

  
  — Authority:
  If you’re a regular follower then you know from mentions throughout several posts that I am a mother of two preemies; my first born 6 weeks early and my second at 3 weeks. I have even dedicated an article on premature infants . Preemies, or babies that are born prior to 37 weeks gestation, are at a greater risk for ...
  2 weeks ago

• The Closing of a Chapter

  
  — Authority:
  To hell with statistics. The number one question I hear from those familiar with our journey from prematurity through where we are today is, “What are the odds?” But the truth is – statistics do not matter when you’re living them. All you want is for your child to be ok – whether a 90 percent survival ...
  4 weeks ago

• A fellowship and a double helix

  
  — Authority:
  In 1952, James Watson was an unknown scientist who applied to the March of Dimes for a fellowship proposing research on X-ray diffraction patterns of proteins and nucleic acids. Knowing that the March of Dimes funded basic science as well as polio prevention, Watson hoped that the grant he would receive might enable ...
  4 weeks ago

Comments about prematurity