5
Before using this child restraint for preterm or low
birth weight infants, ensure the Child Requirements
are met and follow the guidelines in this section.
According to NHTSA, a properly installed Child
Restraint reduces the risk of death by over 70% for
infants involved in crashes. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard (FMVSS) 213 establishes design and dynamic
performance requirements for Child Restraint systems.
However, the standard has no minimum weight limit and
does not address the special medical needs of preterm
or low birth weight infants. To ensure that preterm and
low birth weight infants are transported safely, the
guidelines published by the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) in Pediatrics 2009;123:1424–1429
(reaffirmed June 2018) must be followed.
Preterm and low birth weight infants are at additional risk
of breathing difficulties and heart problems when placed
in a Child Restraint. Evenflo requires that the evaluation
recommended by the AAP be conducted for all infants
born earlier than 37 weeks and all newborn infants who
weigh less than 2.26 kg (5 lbs) at birth before their first
car trip to check for breathing difficulties or heart rate
problems when traveling in a
rear-facing
Child Restraint.
Newborn infants should
NEVER
travel in a
forward-
facing
Child Restraint.
The AAP recommends that appropriate hospital staff
observe your infant in the Child Restraint for a period of
90 to 120 minutes or the duration of travel, whichever
is longer. This period of observation must be performed
with the infant properly positioned as described in
these instructions and with the Child Restraint placed
at an angle that is approved for use in the vehicle. The
hospital staff will check for any breathing difficulties or
heart rate problems. Your child’s pediatrician will let you
know if there are any special considerations for travel.
The number of trips and the duration of time the infant
is seated in the Child Restraint should be minimized.
A caregiver should ride in the back seat to monitor the
infant during travel.
You can learn more about the AAP’s recommendations
as well as other resources for parents and medical
professionals, at
https://www.healthychildren.org/
english/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/default.
aspx
Premature Infant Use
