Prematurity Resolution Approved by Senate

On November 19, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, a resolution (S. Res. 476) recognizing during the month of November 2004 activities and programs that promote awareness of, and solutions to, the dangers of preterm birth across the United States. Sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), the resolution contains a number of findings:

• In 2002, more than 480,000 babies were born prematurely in the United States;
• Premature babies who survive may suffer lifelong consequences, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing loss;
• The average lifetime medical costs of a premature baby are conservatively estimated at $500,000; and
• Women who smoke during pregnancy are twice as likely as women who do not smoke during pregnancy to give birth to a low birthweight baby, and babies born to women who smoke during pregnancy weigh, on average, 200 grams less than babies born to women who do not smoke during pregnancy.

“The March of Dimes has designated November as Prematurity Awareness Month to draw attention to the growing, costly and serious public health problem of preterm birth,” stated Sen. Alexander, adding, “With over half the causes of preterm birth unknown, more research is desperately needed…If we work together to focus public and private resources on this problem, we can decrease the number of premature births in every state.”

Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) said, “I have heard the stories about the strain a premature birth places on families, as well as the lifelong health problems many preterm children face… I urge my colleagues to find out about the toll of premature births in their states and to work together to solve this problem.”