Leticia Van de Putte, R. Ph.
Guest Commentary

As a healthcare professional and mother of six, I want to share with you my concerns about our infants who are born prematurely and with low birth weight. More than 52,000 babies are born prematurely in Texas alone; and these numbers continue to rise.

Low birth weight is defined as less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. At birth these babies can face an increased risk of respiratory distress, bleeding in the brain and most often heart and intestinal problems.

Tragically, long-term effects can include cerebral palsy, mental retardation, vision and hearing loss, social-emotional problems and learning disabilities.

The majority of infants born with low birth weight are premature; and the rate of pre-term births have steadily increased during the past decade. Beyond the devastating health effects, pre-term births have a major financial impact; as our Texas Medicaid programs pay for 40 percent of pre-term births.

Of course, premature births can happen to any family. But in many cases, women can reduce their risk of having a low birth weight baby before they become pregnant by controlling chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and maintaining a healthy weight and especially abstaining from smoking.

Smoking is a major risk factor of pre-term births; pregnant women should not smoke, period. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women who smoke during pregnancy are twice as likely as nonsmokers to give birth to a low birth weight baby. Because of the startling link between smoking and premature births, I authored Senate Bill 91 this past legislative session, which was sponsored by Representative Bill Zedler (R-Arlington). The bill, which became effective in September of 2007, requires point-of-sale tobacco signage to include: Pregnant women should not smoke.

Smokers are more likely to have babies who are born prematurely or with low birth weight. This legislation is very dear to my heart, as I firmly believe we will save precious little lives.

If you or someone you know is pregnant or wanting to start a family, I urge you to consult with your health care professional to determine how to reduce your risks of pre-term birth. Our children are truly a gift; and we must take every opportunity to protect their health and ensure their future.

Leticia Van de Putte is Texas state senator for District 26, which includes northwestern San Antonio and Bexar County. Her office can be reached locally by calling 733-6604.