By Laura Caruth

Community Director

Beckley, WV

Born Too Soon and Too Small in West Virginia

     Charleston, WV—It may come as a surprise to many, particularly to parents who have had healthy, full-term babies, that in 2004, there were 2,915 preterm births in West Virginia, representing 14.0% of live births. Between 1994 and 2004, the rate of infants born preterm in West Virginia increased nearly 31%.

Each year in West Virginia, approximately 21,000 babies are born.  Many of the babies which are born prematurely, and others which are carried to full term, are born with medical conditions which, in some cases, can cause severe physical problems, mental retardation and even death. If these conditions are diagnosed early, some can be successfully treated to prevent or lessen these severe consequences. With the urging and support of the March of Dimes and others, the West Virginia Legislature provided some assistance this year to address this problem.

Until this year, babies born in West Virginia received only 7 of the 29 “core” screenings recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics and endorsed by the March of Dimes. This year, working with information provided by the March of Dimes and other organizations, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill to be implemented over a two year period that requires that every baby born in West Virginia be screened for these 29 treatable disorders.  With these additional screenings, those babies that were born too soon and too small now have a fighting chance for a healthier life. 

The first great polio epidemic in the U.S. was in 1916. The disease infected mostly children, killing thousands and leaving many more paralyzed. On a summer day in 1921, Franklin D. Roosevelt became one of its victims and the March of Dimes was born.  Through life saving research, polio was nearly eliminated in this Country.  In 1958, the March of Dimes refocused its formidable partnership of volunteers and science and research in its efforts to help children by working to save babies from the silent crisis of premature birth

            The Mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. The March of Dimes carries out this mission through programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. Researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates associated with the March of Dimes all work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health from prematurity, birth defects and low birth weight.

       In addition to having received the polio vaccine, many people have benefited from the efforts of the March of Dimes. For example, you have benefited if you or someone in your family received the mandatory PKU Test after birth; your baby or a baby you know was cared for in a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit); you have been made aware that drinking, taking drugs and using tobacco during pregnancy may cause birth defects; or you have been made aware that prevention of birth defects begins before pregnancy.

            How can you help? WalkAmerica has been the best loved and most popular walking event in the nation since 1970, and is the March of Dimes’ biggest fundraiser. West Virginia is kicking off walks statewide. Teams that participate in WalkAmerica are made up of very special people. Some teams are formed by families and friends who have experienced premature birth, birth defects or infant mortality. Others walk together to celebrate a healthy baby - or all babies. Many other teams are organized by companies and their employees who want to give back to their local community in a meaningful way. No matter how teams are created, they each contribute enormously to the success of WalkAmerica.

The March of Dimes hopes that you will consider walking in honor or memory of your own baby, for a friend’s child or a relative. By taking part in WalkAmerica You help save babies and give hope to families. Get inspired and join or sponsor a walk near you.  Call 1-800-720-BABY for more information or walkamerica.org.