The number of premature babies born in the US dropped to 11.5% in 2012 - a 15-year low, according to the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card. However, the change was not enough to alter the overall grade given to the nation - that remains a "C."
There is no room for complacency, as March of Dimes points out 1 in 9 babies - 450,000 a year - are born too soon.
March of Dimes defines preterm birth as before 37 weeks of pregnancy, and babies born too soon have higher rates of death and disability than full-term babies.
Early babies may face serious and sometimes lifelong health issues - including breathing problems, developmental delay, vision loss and cerebral palsy.
Even babies born at 37-38 weeks have a higher risk of health problems than those born at 39 weeks. Physicians from the University of Buffalo highlighted this in a recent study reported in Medical News Today.
As well as the health implications, there are the financial costs. As March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer L. Howse explains:
"A premature birth costs businesses about 12 times as much as an uncomplicated healthy birth. As a result, premature birth is a major driver of health insurance costs not only for employers."
No comments:
Post a Comment