More than a half million babies were born too soon in the United States last year, according to preliminary data released today by the National Center for Health Statistics.
Some 12.5 percent of all babies – about 508,000 – were born premature (less than 37 completed weeks gestation) in 2004, according to Preliminary Births for 2004: Infant and Maternal Health, which was released on the March of Dimes Third Annual National Prematurity Awareness Day.
"We were deeply saddened on Prematurity Awareness Day to learn these sobering statistics," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "Prematurity has reached crisis proportions, and has become the number one killer of newborns. The health consequences for babies who survive can be devastating. We must renew our commitment today to raise public awareness about prematurity, and to mobilize the political will to act."
Each year, about 1 in 8 live births are premature. The latest statistics represent a nearly 2 percent increase over 2003 final data. The preterm birth rate has increased 33 percent since 1981, the first year the government began tracking premature birth rates. There's been an 18 percent increase since 1990, according to the report.
Prematurity is the leading cause of death in the first month of life, and those who survive often have serious lifelong health problems such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, blindness, and hearing loss. As much as half of all neuro-developmental problems in children can be attributed to premature birth.
Also, more babies were born with low birthweight (less than 5.5 pounds) in 2004, according to the government report. The rate of low birthweight babies reached 8.1 percent, up from 7.9 percent in 2003, a nearly 16 percent increase since 1990.
