BOND TELLS OF BIRTH DEFECTS PLAN

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States, and U.S. Sen. Christopher S. "Kit" Bond is concerned some 150,000 infants are born each year with serious birth defects.

"Birth defects are directly responsible for one out of every five infant deaths," said Bond, a Republican, on Saturday during a visit to Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Surrounded by hospital officials, health care professionals and representatives of the March of Dimes, Bond announced a major new initiative to combat birth defects.

"I will introduce legislation next week to implement a comprehensive national strategy to fight birth defects," he told the group. "It may surprise people to learn that our nation has not coordinated such a strategy for reducing the incidence of birth defects."

The March of Dimes Foundation, National Association of Children Hospitals, American Hospital Association, American Academy, Missouri Hospital Association, Citizen's for Missouri's Children and others have endorsed Bond's "Birth Defects Prevention of 1997."

Bond unveiled his plan during meetings while touring the neo-natal units at a number of hospitals across the state last week. He will visit St. Louis Children's Mercy Hospital today.

The infant mortality rate has declined over the past few decades, said Bond, but there are still 25 countries with lower infant mortality rates than the United States.

Joining Bond in sponsoring the bill are Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C., Sen. Tim Hutchinson, R-Ark., Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., Sen. Herbert Kohl, D-Wis., Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, and Sen. Daniel Moynahan, D-N.Y.

The March of Dimes has done a tremendous job in preventing some of these tragedies, said Bond, "but we can do so much more with federal coordination and resources."

Bond is proposing a $40 million budget to start the program, which will create a nationwide birth defects surveillance system to coordinate research and organize educational measures.

"We've been hoping for legislation like this," said Matt Hopkins of the local March of Dimes Foundation. "This is an exciting time.

Frankie Erlacker, director of Pediatric SPOT (Speech, Physical and Occupation Therapy) agrees.

"We're behind it 100 percent," she said.

Also expressing support for the proposal were Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, and James W. Wente, Southeast Hospital administrator.

"It comes as no surprise that Sen. Bond is introducing the legislation," said Wente. "He has always been strong on health care matters. The proposed bill is of great importance in developing the first national network system for coordinating data on birth defects. This will not only improve research measures but will help us identify preventive educational needs."

The cost of a premature infant or low-weight infant needing post birth hospitalization can quickly run up to $20,000, said Craig. "Imagine the cost of an infant with a birth defect, not only at birth, but throughout the child's life. I am pleased that Sen. Bond continues to show the citizens of Missouri that he recognizes the value of preventive medicine with the introduction of his bill."