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Preterm birth rate still high in US
by Anter Prakash Singh - November 18, 2010 - comments
Premature birth is considered one of the leading causes of infant deaths. These babies are also at an increased risk of developmental difficulties and other problems.
The United States has high rate of premature births, compared to other developed countries, states a latest report by 'March of Dimes.'
Though the nation has witnessed a decline in preterm births, the rate is still high.
As a result, United States still gets a ‘D’ grade, according to organization's 2010 report card released Wednesday.
The U.S. premature birth rate has dropped down to 12.3 percent in 2008 from 12.7 percent in 2007. Data is available till 2008 only. In 2006 this rate was 12.8 percent.
Still every year nearly 543,000 or one in eight babies are born premature in the United States, according to 'March of Dimes.'
A baby is called premature if he is born before the 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Dr. Regina Benjamin, surgeon general of the United States, said that more could be done in this area. “Over half a million babies are born prematurely, every year, and it is the leading cause of death among newborns.”
Preterm birth leading cause of infant deaths
The premature birth rate is much higher than the targeted rate of 7.6 percent fixed by the federal government's 'Healthy People 2010' campaign.
Premature birth is considered one of the leading causes of infant deaths. These babies are also at an increased risk of developmental difficulties and other problems.
Dr. Regina Benjamin, surgeon general of the United States, said that more could be done in this area. “Over half a million babies are born prematurely, every year, and it is the leading cause of death among newborns,” she noted. “As Surgeon General, prevention is my priority, and we need to prevent that.”
Dr. Benjamin pointed out that preterm babies usually suffer from cerebral palsy and have problems related to lungs, vision and digestive system.
Though the rate is high, the improvements reported by various states are nonetheless important, said president of the March of Dimes, Jennifer Howse.
She said, “We feel we have reached a tipping point in our country around this problem. We are encouraged because many of the programs we have worked together with our partners are in place and starting to work.”
Preventing premature births Though preterm birth is a serious problem in the nation, the rate can be reduced drastically.
Dr. Benjamin believes that “prenatal check-ups and exams can really make a difference.”
She also advises that pregnant women should refrain from smoking.
The next step thing is that women who plan to “have an elective cesarean delivery should hold off until after week 39 of their pregnancy before doing so.”
This time allows the lungs and the brain of the baby to grow more.
The March of Dime report graded various states. No state could get an ‘A’ or “B’ grade.
Vermont, which has lowest preterm birth rate in the country, fell from ‘B’ to a ‘C’ grade as its premature birth rate increased.
All the other states got a ‘C’, ‘D’ or an ‘F’. Mississippi topped the list with highest premature birth rate (18 percent.)