Two strategies proven to be effective in preventing premature infant deaths are largely underused globally, contributing to the deaths of nearly 1 million children each year, according to a recent study published in The Lancet.
Injections of coricosteroids help fetal lungs to mature before delivery, reducing respiratory distress, mortality and infections in the 48 hours after birth. Drugs to delay labor give these injections more time to take effect and allow for necessary transfer to a more intensive health care setting.
But only 18 percent of women in spontaneous premature labor receive both these treatments, according to data from 359 facilities in 29 countries. More concerning is that 42 percent of women studied received neither treatment and more than a third of women in premature labor received ineffective treatments like bed rest.
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Premature Labor Drugs Underused, Study Says
If you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, this article is worth considering in case your labor is premature.
If you believe your child suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, please call to investigate your matter fully. Crandall & Pera Law is available to help answer your questions and guide you in determining your next steps.