Infections after birth dire for tiny babies

1. Infections after birth dire for tiny babies Friday, November 19, 2004Lindsey TannerAssociated Press http://www.cleveland.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1100867441209480.xml?nnmed

2. Premature Babies • Chicago - Infections shortly after birth are a surprisingly significant cause of cerebral palsy and other brain development disorders in the tiniest premature babies, a study found. • It is well known that babies born extremely prematurely run a higher risk of developmental problems, with the chief causes thought to include infections contracted in the womb and bleeding in the brain. • The new research shows the strong degree to which infections contracted after birth - including infections not directly involving the brain - are linked to neurological problems later, said Dr. Barbara Stoll of Emory University, the lead author.

3. The Study • The study, published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association, involved 6,093 babies born weighing less than 2.2 pounds. 65% of them had at least one infection while hospitalized, and 41% had at least one mental or physical impairment at follow-up visits between the ages of 1 and 2. • The study also found • A 40% higher risk of cerebral palsy in children who had had sepsis, or infection in the bloodstream. • A 2.4% higher risk of motor impairments, including delayed walking, in those who had had sepsis plus an intestinal infection called necrotizing enterocolitis. • A 2.2% higher risk of vision impairment in those who had had meningitis, or inflammation of the brain.

4. Costs of Premature Births • Recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), shows the percentage of babies born prematurely has risen to nearly 12%, the highest level in two decades and a 27% increase since 1981. In 2001, more than 476,000 babies were born prematurely in the U.S. • Babies born prematurely have less developed organs than full-term babies, and are more likely to face serious multiple health problems following delivery. Premature babies often require care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which has specialized medical staff and equipment. • In 2001, hospital charges for 26,000 infant stays with a principal diagnosis of prematurity/low birthweight totaled $1.9 billion; the average hospital charge was $75,000 per stay, compared to $1,300 for an uncomplicated newborn stay. http://www.pregnancy.org/article.php?sid=1070

5. CDC Notes • Infants born too small use more resources than normal weight infants. • They often need time in neonatal intensive care unit at a cost ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 per day. • The lifetime costs for one premature baby are conservatively estimated at $500,000. • Low birth weight accounts for 10% of all health care costs for children. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_prams/

6. Causes • While the underlying cause(s) of preterm birth are not well known, the 3 known risk factors for preterm labor most consistently identified by experts are: • Multifetal pregnancy (e.g., twins, triplets); • A woman's past history of preterm delivery; • Some uterine and/or cervical abnormalities. • Other possible risk factors may include: • High blood pressure, diabetes, clotting disorders, obesity, or other chronic health problems in the mother; • Certain infections during pregnancy; • Cigarette smoking, alcohol use, or illicit drug use during pregnancy.