Fall, 2008

This Conference provided physicians, nurses and midwives with information pertaining to prevention of preterm birth, current management of preterm labor, triage and management of the late preterm infant, and providing care and support for the infant’s family.

This year more than 543, 000 babies in the U.S. will be born prematurely. Preterm birth is a serious and costly health concern and is the leading cause of death in the first month of life. Late preterm babies, those born 34-36 weeks gestation, account for most of the increase in the US singleton preterm birth rate. These infants often look like a term infant and may even “act” like a term infant, however, they have a greater risk of breathing problems, feeding difficulties, hypothermia, jaundice, delayed brain development and death than babies born at term.    

The March of Dimes will be partnerng with AWHONN on a statewide conference in 2009 on Substance Abuse in Pregnancy. Please contact Michelle Wallace for more information.