November 17th is RSV Prevention and Preemie Awareness Day…be informed and help spread the word…it could save an infant’s life.

According to a March of Dimes survey, most expecting parents don’t discuss preterm birth with their doctor during prenatal care, even if they are at high risk leaving parents unaware of what to expect if their baby is preterm.  On November 17 – World Prematurity Day – they’re hoping to help change this.

A premature birth is defined as being born before 37 weeks completed gestation.  Each day there are more than 1,400 premature births in the US and more than 13 million in the world.  Although these numbers have been noted to be on a decline – the numbers are still alarmingly high.  are Preemies are at a greater risk for RSV as often times their most critical organs haven’t developed fully and neither has their immune systems have had time to fully mature.  Preterm infants often experience difficulty with breathing, feeding and maintaining temperature.  Preterm infants are more likely to develop infections, and because their lungs are underdeveloped, they are more susceptible to respiratory problems.

RSV Infographic (click to enlarge)

Most infants, 2 and under, have contracted RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). In most full-term babies, symptoms are similar to those of the common cold and parents may not even know their child has the virus.  However, because they don’t have the antibodies needed to fight off infection, preterm infants—even those born just a few weeks early—are at increased risk for developing an RSV-related infection, often requiring medical attention or hospitalization.  Parents should speak with their pediatrician to find out if their baby is at high risk for developing severe RSV disease, and how they can prevent against RSV this winter.

RSV Quick Facts:

• RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization, responsible for more than 125,000 hospitalizations and up to 500 infant deaths each year.
• RSV occurs in epidemics each fall through spring. The CDC has defined “RSV season” as beginning in November and lasting through March for most parts of North America.
• Certain regions have longer RSV seasons than others, with the season beginning as early as July (e.g., Florida) or ending in April.
• Despite its prevalence, one-third of mothers have never heard of RSV.

Prevention is Key:        

There is no treatment for RSV, so it’s important for parents to take the following preventive steps to help protect their child: