Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Designates June 7th of each year as “Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia Awareness Day.”
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating June 7th of each year as “Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia Awareness Day.”
Whereas, Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (NAIT) is a disease in which the maternal alloantibodies cross the placenta and attack the fetus’ platelets, resulting in a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) in a fetus or newborn baby; and
Whereas, NAIT may cause intracranial hemorrhage at birth, possibly leading to severe brain damage, developmental disabilities, or even death; and
Whereas, Because NAIT occurs in approximately one in every 1,000 live births, screening programs are not routinely performed and, as a result, most affected children are identified after birth; and
Whereas, Although parents can undergo platelet antigen genotyping and platelet antibody identification tests to determine the nature of the incompatibility, few medical doctors perform these tests due to the rare occurrence of NAIT and the limited availability of the tests; and
Whereas, Tests conducted during pregnancy may reveal platelet incompatibilities that can be treated to reduce the effects of NAIT; and
Whereas, Children born with NAIT face significant difficulties, as well as their parents who may not be prepared to handle the challenges of raising children with NAIT; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. June 7th of each year is designated as “Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia Awareness Day” to promote an awareness of the seriousness and the challenges of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia and encourage parents to undergo testing and treatment as early as possible.
2. The Governor shall issue a proclamation recognizing June 7th of each year as “Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia Awareness Day” and calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution declares June 7th of each year as “Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia Awareness Day” to raise awareness of the seriousness and challenges of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) and encourage parents to undergo testing and treatment as early as possible.
NAIT is a treatable but rare disease that occurs in approximately one in every 1,000 live births. Due to the rarity of the disease, affected children are not identified until after birth and the newborn may suffer from intracranial hemorrhage, which leads to brain damage, developmental disabilities, or death. Additionally, parents may be ill-prepared to handle the challenges of raising a child affected by NAIT. However, awareness of NAIT enables parents to consider testing during pregnancy and seek early treatment to reduce the effects of NAIT, as well as preparing themselves to raise a child affected by NAIT.