US preterm birth rate hits Healthy People 2020 goal 7 years early

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-11/modf-upb110414.php

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 6-Nov-2014

Contact: Elizabeth Lynch
March of Dimes Foundation
US preterm birth rate hits Healthy People 2020 goal 7 years early
Nation still earns a 'C' on March of Dimes annual premature birth report card

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 6, 2014 - The national preterm birth rate fell to 11.4 percent in 2013 - the lowest in 17 years -- meeting the federal Healthy People 2020 goal seven years early. Despite this progress, the U.S. still received a "C" on the 7th annual March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card because it fell short of the more-challenging 9.6 percent target set by the March of Dimes, the group said today.

"Achieving the Healthy People 2020 goal is reason for celebration, but the U.S. still has one of the highest rates of preterm birth of any high resource country and we must change that," said March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer L. Howse. "We are investing in a network of five prematurity research centers to find solutions to this still too-common, costly, and serious problem."

More than 450,000 babies were born premature in 2013, compared to 542,893 in 2006 when the rate was at its highest. The March of Dimes estimates that since 2006, 231,000 fewer babies have been born preterm because of sustained interventions put in place by states, saving $11.9 billion in healthcare and other costs. Medical expenses for an average premature infant are about $54,000 compared to just $4,000 for a healthy newborn.

•••••

Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face serious and sometimes lifelong health challenges, such as breathing problems, jaundice, developmental delays, vision loss, and cerebral palsy. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon have higher rates of death and disability than full-term babies.

With its "Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait Campaign," the March of Dimes has encouraged women and their health care providers to avoid scheduling an early elective delivery before at least 39 weeks of pregnancy. Based on quality improvement programs at hospitals, there has been dramatic reduction in early elective deliveries. Other factors driving improvement of preterm birth rates are fewer women smoking, and improved access to maternity care.

•••••