Today, we would no more allow such an exhibit to exist than we would turn over our premature babies to a traveling exhibitor like Martin Couney. It is surprising then that some television producers regularly use premature babies in their programs (see http://minorcon.org/BabiesAgain.htm ). For the most part, however, premature infants today are housed in Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICUs), protected by strict hospital policies and kept alive by high-tech machines. They are no longer viewed as freaks to be gawked at, but as tiny miracles at which to marvel.
According to Helen Harrison's The Premature Baby Book, (available for purchase at both http://www.amazon.com and http://www.barnesandnoble.com), 250,000 babies are born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy) each year in the United States (p.1). One hundred years ago few of these infants survived; today, babies under 2 pounds have more than a 50-50 chance of survival, while those who weigh 3 ½ pounds have a survival rate of 90% (p.45). It is not uncommon for 1 pound babies to survive. In fact, a recent article in McCall's (October 1998) detailed the story of a healthy little girl who was born weighing only 15 ounces. When our 3-pound-6-ounce son was born, the doctors not only marveled at his size, but assured us that he had a 100% chance of survival.
In Couney's time premature infants were kept alive in incubators designed by A Parisian zoo keeper. Today, incubators are used along with a host of other high-tech machines. Oxygen is often administered as well as a plethora of lifesaving drugs. Even the best technology and medical knowledge cannot save all premature infants; still, many survive.
Premature babies are at risk for many diseases and viruses. Breathing difficulties, due to immature lung development, are common. Many premature babies are given supplementary oxygen and kept on monitors which can detect changes in breathing. Heart problems, jaundice, brain bleed, anemia and brain injury are also common problems. To make matters worse, premature infants are susceptible to cerebral palsy and delays in development. Many of these conditions are curable, and most preemies are able to sustain a normal life.
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