What: 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 begins in the fall, 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.
In New York, there are more than 18,000 premature births each year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released this September, a [11.2 %] preemie birth rate. As these numbers 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.
Who: Dr. Richard A. Polin, Director of the Division of Neonatology at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian and Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons is available to discuss: "¢ 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 health
Cathy Casamento of Mahopac, NY is available to share her experience with RSV as the mother of preemie twins. One of the twins, her son, developed RSV at 8 months of age after experiencing respiratory distress.
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