Observer & Eccentric Article

RE: Farmington Observer, December 10, 1999, page (F*)C4

The current Texas appellate court case involving how far doctors and hospitals should go to save micro-preemies is one that hits closer to home for Farmington Observer reporter Tim Smith.

He authored the 1999 book Miracle Birth Stories of Very Premature Babies - Little Thumbs Up! following the extremely premature birth of his daughter, Elizabeth, just 1 pound, 14 ounces when born in November 1994.

The book (Bergin & Garvey), published by Connecticut-based Greenwood Publishing Group, compiles his family's story along with those of another 10 families from around the country. It includes the views of doctors and nurses and features a preface from Devin Scillian, WDIV-TV news anchor and father of premature twins Christian and Madison.

"From feedback I've received since the book came out, many people going though the experience have said it was important to read that others got through everything just fine," said Smith, a Livonia resident whose daughter now is a healthy, happy kindergartner. "It (the book) serves as a sort of neutralizer to the usual media coverage about this subject. My book shows that these babies do have a very good chance at a normal life."

But the general perception that micro-preemies (babies born under 2 pounds) and their parents are destined for a tragic existence - the very perception that prompted Smith to write his book - continues relatively unabated.

To that end, Smith noted a recent front-page article in USA Today about the Texas case. The story delved into the story of Sidney Ainsley Miller, 10, who was born at 1 pound, 3 ounces with a poor prognosis. Her parents requested that nature take its course, but doctors opted to do everything they could to keep her alive in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Today, Sidney has brain-damage, can't see or speak and is paralyzed in three limbs. The Miller family, in 1998, won a settlement of $43 million against the hospital which is being appealed.

"Sidney's situation is tragic, and there are other families dealing with the same problems," Smith said. "But, more and more, these babies are just fine, once they get past the danger period in the NICU. Of course, I agree that doctors should listen to the wishes of parents whenever possible."

Premature babies born at 1.5 pounds or more have an 88 percent survival rate, according to the USA Today article. Those born between 1-1.5 pounds have a survival rate of about 55-60 percent. But those percentages continue to rise in conjunction with improved technology.

Miracle Birth Stories of Very Premature Babies, now in its third printing, is available on-line (such as Amazon.com) and at major bookstores. If the book is not on the shelf, stores can order it. Meanwhile, check out www.littlethumbsup.com for more on the book.