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According to the March of Dimes, premature birth (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and its complications are the number one cause of death for babies in the United States. About 380,000 babies are born prematurely in the U.S. each year.
“World Prematurity Day allows us the opportunity to remind the community of the importance of a full term pregnancy with quality prenatal care,” said Miriam Cartmell, executive director of KHN’s Women’s and Children’s Service Line. “We are honored to support the March of Dimes message to fight prematurity by lighting all hospital campuses in our network with their signature purple color.”
Babies who survive premature births often have long-term health problems, including cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, chronic lung disease, blindness and hearing loss.
According to the March of Dimes, Ohio has a “D” rating when it comes to premature births, News Center 7’s Monica Castro reports.
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The maternity centers at Southview, Soin and Fort Hamilton are equipped with Special Care Nurseries that provide newborn care for babies born after 32 weeks of gestation.
Kettering Medical Center's Level III B Maternity Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Units NICUs provide advanced care in one location for patients coping with high-risk pregnancies and fragile infants. The NICU serves all KHN maternity centers.
Along with Kettering Health Network illuminating its hospitals, Dayton Children’s is also displaying purple lights on their tower in honor of World Prematurity Day.
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