I was just reading an interesting article about premature infants in USA Today. A new study shows that fewer babies receive intensive care interventions because it's believed that the most premature babies are less likely to survive. Here are the percentages:
At 22 weeks of gestation only 23% are given intensive care and only 5%
survived.
At 25 weeks of gestation 99% were given intensive care and 75% survived.
(a full term pregnancy is 37-42 weeks)
How sad it must be for parents to be told that the hospital is not going to provide this intensive care intervention for their new baby.
Ann Stark and Eric Eichenwalk,pediatricians at Houston's Baylor College of Medicine noted that the study was conducted at hospitals with top-tier neonatal units. Babies may not fair as well at medical centers with less expertise.
How does a parent find solace when they know that better treatment is available. It's tough enough to have a new baby, but to come to grips with such a frightening situation is in my mind, unfair.
This week the March of Dimes sponsored a walk in Phoenx and raised lots of money for just this reason. Kelly Damron, the author of "Tiny Toes" is very instrumental in Phoenix in making the public aware of the obstacles preemies and their parents face. If you want an enlightening, honest read, buy her book. You will be amazed.Or contact her at kdamron@tinytoesbook.com
Labels: March of Dimes, newborns, preemies, premature infants
