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Preemie Matters – December 2011

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In this issue of Preemie Matters: Low Birth Weight's Cognitive Toll Later in Life - Parent's Perspective  •  Partner Spotlight: Preemie Prints  •  Philips Launches Mother & Child Care  •  MedImmune Honored for Patient Advocacy

Low Birth Weight's Cognitive Toll Later in Life - A Parent's Perspective

A new study published in the journal Neurology finds that very low birth weight babies - those under 3.3 pounds - score lower on a wide range of cognitive function measures in young adulthood, compared to peers born at normal weight. Coverage of the study in the Huffington Post - which also features perspectives from preemie mother, author and founder of PreemieWorld Deb Discenza - examines questions about whether the deficits primarily stem from low birth weight itself or from the low gestational weight which commonly coincides. It also explores lingering questions around the fact that some low birth weight children experience neurocognitive impairment, while others do not. Discenza told the Huffington Post, "These parents are so overwhelmed, and we need to work a lot harder with them... The reality is, these babies are at risk."

Partner Spotlight: Preemie Prints

Preemie Prints is a Texas-based nonprofit organization providing support to the families of premature and critically-ill infants receiving treatment in neonatal ICUs (NICUs). Their programs offer information and education, complimentary NICU and post-NICU photography services, gift bags and vital social support. Founded by a mom of preemie twins to provide outreach and care for others facing similar challenges, Preemie Prints is making a difference for Texas babies and families.

Philips Launches Mother & Child Care

In November Philips Healthcare announced Mother & Child Care solutions, based on the company's Integrative Development Care Model - which supports developmental care across the continuum for babies born prematurely, but also for all mothers and babies throughout pregnancy, neonatal and pediatric care. Philips' Mother & Child Care solutions focus on three areas: pregnancy, labor and delivery; postnatal, neonatal and pediatric care; and care at home.

Commemorative Coin Celebrates March of Dimes 75th Birthday, Raises Funds

Senators Kay Hagan (NC) and Susan Collins (ME) were joined by Senate co-sponsors Chuck Schumer (NY), Mark Kirk (IL) and Daniel Akaka (HI) in introducing the March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act of 2011 (S.1935), honoring the organization's 75th birthday and providing resources for the continuation of its work in maternal-child health. A surcharge of $10 added to the coin's cost will go to the March of Dimes. March of Dimes will match these funds through private contributions, which could result in a total up to $10 million going to research, community services and education.

MedImmune Honored for Patient Advocacy

Earlier this month at the 2011 Patient Advocate Conference, the Professional Patient Advocate Institute honored leading healthcare advocates and organizations working on behalf of patients. MedImmune was recognized for its work in this area, along with others including WellPoint, AltaMed, Cleveland Clinic and the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America. Congrats to the honorees for exceptional advocacy in 18 areas, including hospital patient advocacy, patient advocates and nonprofit advocate programs.

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Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on our website.

Renee Klink