Premature birth looms as a major challenge to the heart of America’s strength – the health of our children. Today, one in eight babies is born too soon, many without warning and for no known reason. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death. The survivors of premature birth can face chronic health and developmental disabilities for the rest of their lives.
Here in New Jersey there were 13,882 premature babies born in 2001 among the families of our co-workers and neighbors. Sadly, most people are unaware of the scope of this problem.
I, on the other hand, know this problem all too well. My youngest son, Connor, was born at 35 weeks. Normally thought to be a safe week to deliver, it turned out not to be for Connor.
Shortly after he was taken by C-section, he developed severe Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). He was transferred by ambulance to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. Once there, they diagnosed him as having Patent Ductus Arteriosus (a duct problem in the heart) as well.
Both complications were corrected using techniques funded by the March of Dimes. A few long weeks later, Connor was released. This is not the end of my story. Since Connor’s arrival, two other women I know have also given birth to premature babies. This problem is growing and doctors do not know why or how. That is why the March of Dimes and its fund-raising is so important to the discovery of ways to combat premature birth.
Nov. 18 marks the first Prematurity Awareness Day, part of the March of Dimes’ national campaign to call attention to the problem. Learn what you can do about the problem of premature birth – visit marchofdimes.com and click on the baby band. When you do, our sponsors will donate $1 research (up to $150,000). If we band together, we can find the answers that will save premature babies.
Nadine M. Dunn
March of Dimes Volunteer
and Ambassador Family
Jackson