Costs of Preterm Birth

Prematurity can have a severe effect on newborns and their families. Additionally, premature birth in the U.S. puts a significant burden on the U.S. healthcare system. Employers are also affected by associated healthcare costs and reduced workplace productivity.

Excess Cost of Preterm Delivery Versus Cost of 38 Week Delivery¹

Impact on patients and families

Preterm birth can have extensive impact on your patients and their families, both emotionally and financially. In addition to the time spent in the NICU, preterm babies average 16.8 days in the hospital, compared to 2.3 days for full term babies; they also have 50% more doctor's office visits in the first year. In the first 6 months of the premature baby's life, on average the mother will miss almost 6 weeks of work — two weeks more than most mothers of full term babies will miss.²

Burden on the U.S. healthcare system

Prematurity has major costs for the U.S. healthcare system. According to the March of Dimes, in 2003 hospital charges for all newborns in the U.S. were $36.7 billion. Nearly half of that — $18.1 billion — was for premature/low birth-weight babies.²

Employer costs attributed to preterm birth²

Antepartum and neonatal care affect employers' healthcare costs and workplace productivity. Direct healthcare costs to employers for a preterm baby are 15 times higher than those for a healthy, full term baby. Mothers of preterm babies spend an average of 29.1 days on short-term disability, compared with 18.9 days for mothers of full term babies. Preterm babies spend an average of 16.8 days in the hospital in their first year, compared with 2.3 days for full term babies.

Symptoms and risk factors

References

• 1. Gilbert WM, et al. The cost of prematurity: quantification by gestational age and birth weight. Obstet Gynecol. 2003;102:488-92.
• 2. Analysis by March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center using National Inpatient Sample. 2003. Agency for Healthcare Research Quality.