Preterm Birth Contributes to Growing Number of Infant Deaths

Babies born too soon and too small accounted for a growing proportion of infant deaths, according to new statistics released today from the US National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Babies who died of preterm-related causes accounted for 36.5 percent of infant deaths in 2005, up from 34.6 percent in 2000, according to "Infant Mortality Statistics from the 2005 Period Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set," Vol. 57, No. 2, of the National Vital Statistics Report, released by the NCHS.

The US infant mortality rate inched up slightly in 2005 to 6.9, from 6.8 per 1,000 life births in 2004, although the change is not statistically significant, according to the report. While the infant mortality rate dropped more than 9 percent between 1995 and 2005, the changes since 2000 have not been statistically significant.

"Essentially, there has been no improvement in the infant death rate since 2000, and the increase in the proportion of infants who die from preterm-related causes is troubling," says Joann Petrini, director of the March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center. "Preventing preterm birth is crucial to reducing the nation's infant mortality rate and giving every baby a healthy start in life."

More than a half million babies are born prematurely (less than 37 weeks gestation) each year, and those who survive face the risk of lifelong health consequences, such as breathing and feeding problems, cerebral palsy and learning problems.

Mortality rates for infants born even a few weeks early, or "late preterm" (between 34-36 weeks of gestation), were three times the rates for full-term infants.

The NCHS report found that the mortality rate for very low birthweight infants (those weighing less than 1,500 grams or 3 1/3 pounds) has not changed since 2000, despite rapid improvement between 1983 and 2000. The mortality rate for this group of infants was more than 100 times the rate for normal birthweight infants (at or more than 2,500 grams or 5 1/2
pounds).

Low birthweight and preterm birth are leading causes of infant mortality, and the rates of both have increased steadily since the mid-1980s. The rise in multiple births from the increased use of assisted reproductive technology and increases in cesarean sections and inductions
of labor for preterm infants have contributed to this increase.

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More Babies Born Prematurely, New Report Shows

The preterm birth rate rose again in 2005 and preliminary data for 2006 show a continued increase, underscoring the urgent need for a sustained, comprehensive plan
to address this growing crisis.

"The more we learn about the terrible consequences of an early birth, the more determined the March of Dimes is to understand what causes preterm birth and how it can be prevented," says Dr. Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "That's why we are supporting a U.S. Surgeon General's conference for 2008 to bring together experts and develop a national agenda to prevent preterm labor and delivery."

Today, the National Center for Health Statistics released final birth data for 2005 showing that the preterm birth rate, the percentage of babies born at less than 37 weeks gestation, is continuing its relentless rise, with more than 525,000 babies, or 12.7 percent, born prematurely. That's up from 12.5 percent in 2004 and the 2006 preliminary report indicates that the preterm birth rate will continue its upward trend and reach 12.8 percent, about 543,000 babies.

The preterm birth rate has increased more than 20 percent since 1990.

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