[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 147 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PREMATURE BIRTH: A SILENT HEALTH CRISIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 20, 2003

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, premature birth is a serious and growing 
problem. Each day 1,305 babies are born too soon, and the rate of 
preterm birth increased 27 percent between 1981 and 2001. In 2001, 
476,000 babies were born prematurely in the United States. Tragically, 
premature infants are 14 times more likely to die in their first year 
of life, and preterm births account for 23 percent of deaths in the 
first month of life. Further, premature babies who survive may suffer 
lifelong consequences, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, 
chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing loss. Preterm delivery can 
happen to any pregnant woman, and in nearly one-half of the cases, no 
one knows why.
  That is why today I am introducing, with my colleagues Anna Eshoo, 
Jim Ramstad, Sherrod Brown, Spencer Bachus, Ed Towns, and Jesse 
Jackson, Jr., the bipartisan Prematurity Research Expansion and 
Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act, or ``PREEMIE 
Act.'' The goal of the PREEMIE Act is designed to reduce the rates of 
preterm labor and delivery, promote the use of evidence-based care for 
pregnant women at risk of preterm labor and for infants born preterm, 
and reduce infant mortality and disabilities caused by prematurity. 
This will be accomplished by expanding federal research related to 
preterm labor and delivery and increasing public and provider education 
and support services. Expanding these federal initiatives is supported 
by the March of Dimes, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American 
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Association of 
Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.
  We hope that you and many more of our House colleagues will join us 
in the fight to ensure a healthy start for all of America's children by 
cosponsoring and working with us for the enactment of the PREEMIE Act.

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