According to a report released this week by the nonprofit March of Dimes, the number of premature newborns is increasing across the nation and reached 10.5% of live births last year.
The nation received a D+ overall on the organization’s 2022 Report Card, down from a C- the year before.
According to the data, the nation’s preterm birth rate increased by 4% from 2020 to last year, reaching its highest level since 2007. Preterm births increased, according to statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics, in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Vermont was the only state to receive an A from March of Dimes. Other states that obtained B grades were California, Oregon, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
“Unfortunately, one of the least safe places to give birth and have a baby is our country. In addition, there are legislative options available to help address some of the issues we’re facing, according to Zsakeba Henderson, MD, senior vice president and acting chief medical and health officer of March of Dimes.
According to Henderson, there are “vast discrepancies” in preterm birth rates, and the states with the biggest concentrations of mothers who are “of colour, American Indian, or Alaska Native descent, for example, get the lowest scores.””
According to the study, babies born to Black and Native American mothers are 62% more likely to be born prematurely than babies delivered to white women.
The average pregnancy lasts 40 weeks; any that end before 37 weeks is referred to as “preterm.”
Henderson added, “And we know that to completely make a difference in the outcomes generally in our country, we have to lower the disparity gaps and eradicate these disparity gaps… in preterm birth and maternal health outcomes that we see.”
The mother’s age, if she has particular medical concerns, whether she is expecting numerous children, and whether she has previously given birth prematurely are all factors that affect premature births, according to the expert.
