by Mitchell Goldstein, M.D.
Earlier this year, health care providers celebrated as our state’s infant mortality rate slipped to a record low. Starting Nov. 1, however, we may see that victory begin to dissipate. As respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, season begins this year, thousands of vulnerable premature infants will face the deadly virus without the benefit of preventive treatment. New American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, now adopted by California’s Department of Health Care Services, effectively block thousands of premature babies from getting the only preventive RSV treatment available.
Read more: San Bernardino County Sun, October 31, 2014