Drawing attention to seriousness of preterm births

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Nearly one million babies died this year because they were born too soon.

The March of Dimes is drawing attention to the serious issue of premature birth on World Prematurity Day Saturday.

Dr. Glenn Markenson is the Director of Fetal Maternal Medicine at Baystate Medical Center.

He says pre-term births can lead to a lifetime of health issues for babies born early.

"The risk can affect babies their entire life, chronic lung disease, blindness, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, so it's a very significant problem," said Dr. Markenson.

According to the March of Dimes, one out of eight babies is born before 37 weeks in the United States every year. One million babies died this year as a result of being born too early.

Baby boy, Jaeden, was born last Saturday through emergency C-section at just 32 weeks.

Jaeden's mom, Cory Malinoski of Orange, had a pre-existing health condition that resulted in the pre-term birth, but they were lucky.

"He's a preemie and he's slow, but he's growing," said Jason Malinoski, Jaeden's dad.

Dr. Markenson says the key to preventing pre-term births is a health pregnancy.

He recommends women lose weight, stop smoking, and get off unnecessary prescription medications before having a baby.

And, for those who want to schedule an early induction, Dr. Markenson says to consider that the baby's brain is still developing up to 39 weeks.

For more information about pre-term births, go to www.marchofdimes.com .