U.S. Gets A "D" On Premature Birth Rate

1 In 8 Babies Are Born Premature Each Year; Even Top-Rated State Doesn't Meet National Goal

(AP)  The odds of having a premature baby are lowest in Vermont and highest in Mississippi.

The March of Dimes mapped the stark state-by-state disparities in what it called a "report card" on prematurity Wednesday - to track progress toward meeting a federal goal of lowering preterm births.

There's not much chance of meeting that goal by the original 2010 deadline, if the "D" grade the charity bestowed on the nation is any indication.

More than half a million U.S. babies - one in every eight - are born premature each year, a toll that's risen steadily for two decades. The government's goal: No more than 7.6 percent of babies born before completion of the 37th week of pregnancy.

Preterm birth can affect any mother-to-be, stressed a recent U.S. Surgeon General's meeting on the problem. Scientists don't understand all the complex causes.

But Wednesday's report highlights big geographic differences that March of Dimes president Dr. Jennifer Howse called "a dash of cold water."

In Vermont, 9 percent of babies were preemies in 2005, the latest available data. In Oregon and Connecticut, just under 10.5 percent of babies were premature.

Travel south, and prematurity steadily worsens: In West Virginia, 14.4 percent of babies were preemies; more than 15 percent in Kentucky and South Carolina; more than 16 percent in Alabama and Louisiana; and a high of 18.8 percent in Mississippi.

The report urges states to address three factors that play a role:

Lack of insurance, which translates into missed or late prenatal care. In states with the highest prematurity rates, at least one in five women of childbearing age are uninsured. Early prenatal care can identify risks for preterm labor and sometimes lower them.

Smoking increases the risks of prematurity, low birthweight and birth defects. Government figures suggest 17 percent of women smoke during pregnancy. The new report urged targeting smoking by all women of childbearing age. About a third of those women smoke in Louisiana and West Virginia, the report says, compared with 9.3 percent and 11 percent in Utah and California, respectively.

Then there's the trickier issue of so-called late preemies, babies born between 34 and 37 weeks. They're fueling the nation's prematurity rise. While not as devastating as a baby born months early, being even a few weeks early can cause learning or behavioral delays and other problems. And recent research suggests at least some near-term babies are due to Caesarean sections scheduled before full-term, either deliberately or because of confusion about the fetus's exact age.

Howse urged hospitals to double-check that women given an early C-section truly need one for a medical problem, as current health guidelines recommend.

[pirmin3]

",,,highest in Mississippi."

That''s what happens when your diet consists of boudin''s and hush puppies.

Well it just so happens that Cuba has a better premature birth rate than the US. Why? Because for one the US is in a recession and Cuba has better pregnancy leave than the US. Also, let''s not forget that Cuba has FREE medical care. It''s a shame that pregnant women have to choose between their jobs and their unborn child. Whys is it that Switzerland has almost a year of paid maternity leave and the US has 12 weeks of unpaid? That''s not very inviting for a pregnant woman

[kphx]

Posted by cleoking1305 at 01:36 AM : Nov 12, 2008

Well, US Corporate world and hence the government, is more interested in working slaves. Who cares about preterm births. We will deal with it, only when we all realize we are putting the future of this country in danger, with all these preterm complications and a not so good future generation. We as a country have become too short sighted. We cannot see anything long term. All we care about it is I, me, NOW.

[insgitne11]

march of dimes (and later postings) really misses the boat. people are sicker in MS than VT. diabetic women have premature babies. teens have premature babies. women who have had gyn problems due to diseases like hpv often have to have cesarians and thus premature babies. people in rural areas w/ crappy transportation can''t/don''t want to see a doctor anyways (and have premature babies)

this problem is less about ob treatment and more about personal health. many states have huge shortages of OBs (who i think are crazy for taking their job) because of incredible risks of lawsuits and ugly work conditions