March of Dimes 2010 Premature Birth Report Card

December 11, 2010

New York received a "D" grade on the March of Dimes 2010 Premature Birth report card released Wednesday. Every year, approximately 31,187 are born premature in New York State, according to the organization.

Premature birth is the leading cause of death in newborns, and one of the leading causes of infant deaths. Babies who are born premature and survive are at greater risk for lifelong health problems including cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, intestinal problems, respiratory problems, blindness and deafness.

"Whenever babies are born prematurely, doctors must take additional precautions to protect them from complications. Inadequate monitoring or delivery procedures may result in permanent injuries to a baby," said New York medical malpractice attorney David Perecman.

Early Caesareans contribute to the number of premature babies. Women who had previously delivered by C-section or were expected to require one had C-sections. Some were planned for the convenience of the mother or doctor. The concern is that some early deliveries are unnecessary and may occur without good medical justification and this can lead to preterm birth, with potential risks to the baby.

"While New York medical malpractice attorneys understand it is not possible to prevent all preterm deliveries, there are processes that a doctor can often employ to protect the baby's health," said Perecman.

If the doctor does not take the necessary precautions, and the child suffers permanent birth injuries or death, it is in the best interest of the parents to seek advice from a New York medical malpractice attorney. If a parent in New York feels his or her child has suffered a serious premature birth injury and believe medical negligence may have been involved, it is important to engage an experienced New York medical malpractice attorneys like the ones at The Perecman Firm.

Article provided by The Perecman Firm
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