New Guidelines Hope to Reduce Infant Death Rates - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

MARYLAND - The Department of Health & Mental Hygiene wants the public to weigh in on proposed guidelines for hospitals where babies are born. The state says the standard would reduce infant mortality rates.

Experts say early induced deliveries and elective cesarean sections prior to 39 weeks, without a medical reason, elevate the risk of infant death during the first 28 days of life. Which is why the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is taking the first steps to essentially eliminate these types of early deliveries in birthing hospitals.

We're told the majority of hospitals in Maryland have already stopped performing these risky early deliveries. Among those participating hospitals, Maryland officials say these efforts resulted in a 93% reduction in early elective induction of labor and an 83% drop in early elective cesarean sections since January 2009.

You can comment on this proposed standard for birthing hospitals in Maryland, until June 15th. CLICK HERE for the full "Proposed Perinatal Standard Addressing Non-Medically Indicated Deliveries Prior to 39 Weeks Gestation". Submit comments to Dr. Lee Woods, Medical Director, Center for Maternal and Child Health, at SLWoodsMD@dhmh.state.md.us by June 15, 2012.

The final standard will become effective on July 1, 2012.

WMDT attempted to reach out to a number of area hospitals and OB-GYN groups on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but we were told officials were unavailable for comment on this story.

We would also like to know what you think of this proposed regulation on early elective deliveries, head to our Facebook Page and let us know.