Fears as children are born too early

Feb 26 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

A MOTHER whose baby daughter is in intensive care after being born 14 weeks early is backing a campaign calling for a Government inquiry into premature birth.

Tracey Ridley, from Walton Road in Slatyford, Newcastle, is backing charity Action Medical Research in its Stand Up For Tiny Lives campaign.

Each week 25 babies die in the UK due to complications arising from premature birth but little is known about the causes or how to prevent it.

Tracey’s daughter Paige Surtees weighed just 2lb when she was born on January 17 this year, four months before she was due. She is now in the special care baby unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle.

For Tracey, 24, it is the second time she has had to undergo the ordeal of a baby being born prematurely.

Her son Richard was born just 27 weeks into her first pregnancy. He is now three years old and survived despite weighing just 2lb 4oz when he was delivered.

Tracey said: “When Richard was born we were terrified. He was so small and his skin was almost see-through. There are all these wires and machines.

“You just don’t realise all the machinery that goes into keeping these little babies alive.

“The hospital kept a very close eye on me this time around but I really didn’t expect to go through it all again. It’s just as scary. You never know what’s around the corner with a premature baby and every one is different.

“The doctors don’t know why I have been unable to carry my babies to term, which is why I think it’s so important for the Government to do more to support them to help find answers. I wouldn’t want any other family to go through what we have.”

It is hoped an inquiry would lead to the development of the first national research strategy for tackling premature birth.

Professor Michael Taggart, based at Newcastle University’s medical school, said: “I cannot stress enough the urgent need for Government to channel support for research into the mechanisms of the active birth process and the associated problem of premature birth.

“We need to understand more about the process of how premature birth begins and develops.

“Premature birth is often seen as a discrete event, yet the health impact of a child being born too soon can last a lifetime.”

Patrick Olszowski, campaigns manager at Action Medical Research, said the Government must act to increase understanding of premature birth.

He said: “It is the cause of distress and suffering for so many families.

“Medical research can make a difference in understanding what causes premature birth and ultimately find treatments to prevent it.”

For more information on the campaign, go to www.standupfortinylives.org.