1. The department of health and senior services shall, by December 31, 2009, prepare written educational publications containing information about the possible complications, proper care and support associated with newborn infants who are born premature at earlier than thirty-seven weeks gestational age. The written information, at a minimum, shall include the following:

(1) The unique health issues affecting infants born premature, such as:

(a) Increased risk of developmental problems;

(b) Nutritional challenges;

(c) Infection;

(d) Chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia);

(e) Vision and hearing impairment;

(f) Breathing problems;

(g) Fine motor skills;

(h) Feeding;

(i) Maintaining body temperature;

(j) Jaundice;

(k) Hyperactivity;

(l) Infant mortality as well as long-term complications associated with growth and nutrition;

(m) Reading, writing, mathematics, and speaking; and

(n) Respiratory;

(2) The proper care needs of premature infants, developmental screenings and monitoring and health care services available to premature infants through the MO HealthNet program and other public or private health programs;

(3) Methods, vaccines, and other preventative measures to protect premature infants from infectious diseases, including viral respiratory infections;

(4) The emotional and financial burdens and other challenges that parents and family members of premature infants experience and information about community resources available to support them.

2. The publications shall be written in clear language to educate parents of premature infants across a variety of socioeconomic statuses. The department may consult with community organizations that focus on premature infants or pediatric health care. The department shall update the publications every two years.

3. The department shall distribute these publications to children’s health providers, maternal care providers, hospitals, public health departments, and medical organizations and encourage those organizations to provide the publications to parents or guardians of premature infants.