Clinical Experts From Children's Hospital Boston And The National Association Of Neonatal Nurses Lead Media Teleconference To Review Data And Offer Advice On Safeguarding Preemie Health

BOSTON, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ --

What:

More than 500,000 premature infants are born each year in the United States, approximately one every 60 seconds. Underdeveloped lungs and weak immune systems leave these fragile patients susceptible to respiratory illnesses. During virus season, which begins in late October, these babies are at a higher risk of developing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a disease that may be up to 10 times more deadly than influenza in children under 1 year of age.(1) With the recent hurricanes and evacuation/relocation of hundreds of thousands of citizens in southern U.S. states, it is possible that these infants are more exposed to risk factors and may be at increased risk for infectious diseases.

The states in the hurricane region are among those with the nation's highest number of preemie births, and the public health consequences for these vulnerable infants is of increasing concern. Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, have the three highest premature birth rates in the U.S.; 13.9 percent, 17.9 percent, 15.7 percent, and 15.6 percent respectively, according to the latest CDC data released in 2005. These states also have had high incidence rates of RSV in the past few years.

-- RSV is the most common cause of lower respiratory infection and viral death in children under 5 years of age.(2) -- RSV is leading cause of hospitalization of children under age 1.

Because RSV shares many symptoms with the common cold and influenza, it often goes un- or misdiagnosed, raising the risk of serious health complications. During this national media teleconference, experts from Children's Hospital Boston and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses will discuss:

-- Recent studies on the long-term impact of RSV on children's health -- Signs/symptoms of and treatment for RSV -- How to protect infants from RSV infection and promote long-term lung health When: Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT Call-in number is: 1-800-362-0571 ID: 7RSV Speakers: 1. Dr. Kenneth McIntosh Infectious Disease Specialist, Children's Hospital Boston Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School 2. Dr. Anne Hansen Neonatologist, NICU Medical Director, Children's Hospital Boston Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School 3. Dr. Steven B. Spedale Chief Neonatologist Woman's Hospital of Baton Rouge 4. Angela Burd, R.N.C., C.C.N.S. NICU Advanced Practice Nurse, National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) representative 5. Dr. John J. Labella, F.A.A.P. Pediatrician, Children's Community Pediatrics, Cranberry Township, Pa. 6. Maureen Doolan Boyle Executive Director, Mothers of Supertwins (MOST) 7. A mother of two children: a child who had RSV and a preemie who received RSV-prevention medication This telephone press briefing is underwritten by MedImmune, Inc. (1) Thompson WW, Shay DK, Weintraub E, et al. Mortality associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in the United States. JAMA, 2003:289(2):179-186. (2) Thompson WW, Shay DK, Weintraub E, et al. Mortality associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in the United States. JAMA, 2003:289(2):179-186.

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