CDC’s 2005 Health Facts

Maternal and infant health statistics posted by the 2005 preliminary report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), reveal tear-jerking results.

Preterm birth, low birthweight and infants delivered surgically, i.e. C-section deliveries saw rising trends from preceding year figures, reported government health officials.

The report is based on information from 99.2 percent of US birth certificates filed in calendar year 2005 and processed by NCHS as of May 31, 2006.

The preterm birth rate for infants born before completion of 32 weeks of gestation rose from 2.01 percent in 2004 to 2.03 percent in 2005, while, late preterm births reportedly between 34-36 weeks of gestation increased from 8.9 to 9.1 percent for the same period.

Collectively the percentage of infants delivered at less than 37 completed weeks of gestation have risen from 12.5 to 12.7 percent for 2004-2005.

Meanwhile, the percentage of infants born with low birthweight (less than 2500 grams) also increased to 8.2 in 2005, up from 8.1 in 2004, rendering then more susceptible to infections and high cost medical treatments.

The 2005 figures of infants born with low birth weight is the highest level reported since 1968. The numbers have increased more than 20 percent since the mid-1980s.

With about a third of all babies born in the United States were delivered surgically, the rates climbed to a new high of 30.2 percent in 2005 as against 29.1 percent in 2004.

Critics believe a large number of C-sections carried out were medically unnecessary and done only for the convenience of the mother or her doctor.

While the general fertility rates varied considerably among states, Vermont recorded the minimum figures of 51.0 births per 1,000 women aged between 15-44 years as against 90.4 in Utah.

Other Statistics

• Childbearing by unmarried women increased to record levels. The proportion of nonmarital births increased in 2005 to 36.8 percent as compared with 35.8 percent in 2004.

• Teen mothers normally associated with nonmarital births, posted a record decrease. The birthrate among teens 15 to 19 years fell 2 percent in 2005 from the previous year. Contraception and a delay in sexual activity appear to be the apparent reasons.

• Estimated four in five births to teenagers were out of wedlock. Over one-half of births to women aged 20-24 years and nearly 3 in 10 births to women aged 25-29 years were to unmarried women.

• The birth rate for unmarried women aged 15-44 years increased 3 percent in 2005 to 47.6 per 1,000, up from 46.1 in 2004. More women in their 30s and 40s preferred being single mothers.