On Premature Births, Ohio Gets a "D"
Premature birth is the leading cause of death among newborns. With a 12.6 percent rate of premature births, Ohio received a "D" on the March of Dimes annual report card.
January 24, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On Premature Births, Ohio Gets a "D"
More than half a million babies are born premature every year, representing $26 billion in annual related health care costs in the U.S., according to the Institute of Medicine.
Premature birth is the leading cause of death among newborns. While the costs to the national health care system seem exorbitant, the costs to the health of premature babies are more alarming. And "premie" babies who survive often have ongoing health problems that range from lifelong learning disabilities to cerebral palsy.
The March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing birth injuries and infant mortality through research and education, reports that Ohio has a 12.6 percent rate of premature births. In this year's annual "March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card," Ohio earned a grade of "D" for a premature birth rate that is 5 percent higher than the national goal of 7.6 percent.
But across the nation the goal was far from achieved. Ohio's 12.6 percent premature birth rate was only slightly above the actual national average of 12.3 percent.
There is, however, good news: despite the apparently high national rate, 2010 marks the first two-year decline of a prematurity rate that has continued to increase over the last 30 years.
Ohio's Efforts to Reduce Premature Births
Premature birth is not always preventable. But there are measures both pregnant women and their doctors can take to increase the chance of a full-term delivery. Every day that labor is delayed usually results in a better outcome for the baby.
To decrease the risk of early birth, the March of Dimes recommends that:
-Pregnant women do not smoke (24 percent of childbearing-age women in Ohio smoke).
-Women seek preconception care and avoid multiples from fertility treatments. Once pregnant, early prenatal care is important.
-Doctors and obstetricians should be aware of women with histories of preterm births, and administer proper treatments, such as dispensing progesterone or tocolytics like terbutaline and nifedipine.
-Doctors should avoid unnecessary c-sections and inductions before 39 weeks. C-sections and inductions should be performed if medically necessary, not around the mother's or doctor's schedules.
The director of program services for Ohio's March of Dimes notes that the organization will continue to support research and community programs to help Ohio women have healthier babies. "We hope that by reducing risk factors, we will see our state's rate of premature births further improve in the future," said Lisa Amlung Holloway.
The March of Dimes is not the only organization in Ohio working to reduce premature births. Thanks to efforts made by the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative at Ohio hospitals the last two years, more than 12,000 babies were delivered full term after 39 weeks - when these same babies were scheduled for early 36 to 38 week deliveries. The Collaborative targets hospitals and clinics who schedule routine inductions and c-sections before 39 weeks without compelling medical reason.
The Collaborative estimates its efforts from September 2008 through September 2010 have prevented over 250 premature births that would have resulted in costly admission to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) -- admissions that cost the Ohio health care system over an estimated $10 million a year.
Negligent Medical Care Can Lead to Premature Births
While premature labor is not always preventable, it is a doctor's duty to do everything possible to arrest early labor. If you believe that your doctor did not try to prevent the premature birth of your child and your child has suffered as a result, you may have a medical malpractice claim. For an evaluation of your case, talk to an experienced birth injury lawyer in your area.
Press Release Contact Information:
Findlaw PR
