Health Consequences of Preterm Birth

As Goldenberg and colleagues stated in 2001, "Preterm delivery [PTD] is considered the chief problem in obstetrics today, accounting for 70 percent of prematurity morbidity and nearly half of long-term neurologic morbidity."^{1, 2}

Preterm birth rates

In 2004, 12.5 percent of babies were born preterm in the U.S. Over the last 20 years, the rate of preterm birth (PTB) has increased in every state.³ In addition, the rate of premature infants who survive (often with severe handicaps) has increased.¹ This increased survival rate is attributable to advances in neonatal intensive care, the development of surfactant, the increased use of prenatal corticosteroids with threatened preterm delivery, and other factors.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), preterm birth is responsible for over one half of newborn neurological problems. This includes babies with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, blindness, and learning disabilities.² It is also responsible for three quarters of all newborn deaths.²

Costs of preterm birth

References

• 1. Goldenberg RL, Hauth JC, Andrews WW. Intrauterine infection and preterm delivery. N Engl J Med. 2001;342:1500-07.
• 2. www.marchofdimes.com
• 3. www.kidscount.org/sld/snapshot_preterm.jsp