AUSTIN --- Today at the March of Dimes Prematurity Summit, state leaders acknowledge that the problem of prematurity is significant and must be combated. Prematurity is the most common, serious and costly problem affecting American infants, and Texas accounts for 10 percent of all premature births in the U.S.

Speakers at the Prematurity Summit include Governor Rick Perry, Albert Hawkins, executive commissioner for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Eduardo Sanchez, commissioner of health, and Dr. David Smith, Texas Tech University System chancellor and March of Dimes Texas Prematurity Campaign chair.

“Texas plays a significant part in the nationwide problem of prematurity and we intend to play a major role in the solution,” said March of Dimes Texas Prematurity Campaign Chair Dr. David Smith, Texas Tech University System chancellor. “We are asking policy-makers, business and community leaders to support health policies that will help decrease the incidences of premature births.”

Prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death and it’s on the rise. In addition, it leaves one in four of the survivors with lifelong disabilities, which can include blindness, cerebral palsy and mental retardation.

In the past 10 years, the rate of premature births in Texas increased 21 percent, compared to 13 percent nationally. In 2002, 49,290 Texas babies were born prematurely.

“Premature birth becomes more frightening when we realize that, until we have more answers, anyone’s baby could be next -- the next baby born in your family, to your friend, your colleague, your employee,” said Dr. Smith. “The emotional and physical toll is enormous, but so can be the financial burden of prematurity.”

On average, hospital charges for newborns without complications run $1,300, while those for hospital stays for infants with a principal diagnosis of prematurity, average a startling $75,000.

In 2001, hospital charges for all infants totaled $29.3 billion. Nearly half of that – $13.6 billion – was for babies with any diagnosis of prematurity.  Fifty percent of the total charges for infant hospital stays in 2001 were for babies who were born too soon or too small.

The problem of prematurity is an important target in the March of Dimes mission of saving babies because of its close relationship to birth defects, infant mortality and low birthweight. The substantial increase in premature births over the past decade prompted the March of Dimes to launch a five-year, $75 million Prematurity Campaign in 2003 to raise public awareness of the problem of prematurity and ultimately, to find ways to reduce the occurrence of premature birth.

The March of Dimes is a national, voluntary health agency, whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality.  Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com/texas or its Spanish Web site at http://www.nacersano.org/.

The March of Dimes Texas Chapter will host 14 Prematurity Summits in 2004. Click here for more information.