What: November is Premature Awareness Month. More than 500,000 premature infants are born each year in the United States, approximately one every 60 seconds. Underdeveloped lungs and weak immune systems leave these fragile patients susceptible to respiratory illnesses. During virus season, which has just begun, these babies are at a higher risk of developing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a disease that may be up to 10 times more deadly than influenza in children under 1 year of age.
As the number of pre-term births continue to rise, safeguarding preemies' lung health during virus season becomes crucial, especially since: "¢ RSV is the most common cause of lower respiratory infection and viral death in children under 5 years of age."¢ RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization of children under age 1.
Because RSV shares many symptoms with the common cold and influenza, it often goes un- or misdiagnosed, raising the risk of serious health complications. The following national RSV experts are available to discuss how to ensure preemie health:"¢ Dr. Anne Hansen, Neonatologist, NICU Medical Director, Children's Hospital Boston, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School"¢ Dr. John J. Labella, F.A.A.P. Pediatrician, Children's Community Pediatrics, Cranberry Township, Pa."¢ Dr. Jose Romero, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University, Interim Director of the UNMC/CU Combined Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases "¢ Maureen Doolan Boyle, Executive Director, Mothers of Supertwins (MOST)
Topics:
"¢ Signs/symptoms of and treatment for RSV"¢ How to protect infants from RSV infection and promote long-term lung health"¢ Recent studies on the long-term impact of RSV on children's healthWhen: Interviews are available now by request to help prepare parents of preemies for the virus season. To arrange for an interview and to obtain more information about RSV, please contact Mechal Weiss (contact information provided above).
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