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Premature births in the United States
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12.5% of babies are born premature in the U.S., a total of half a million babies each year. This reflects an increase of over 30% during the last twenty-five years, according to two new reports, one by the Institute of Medicine and the other by the National Institutes of Health. Helping premature babies survive costs $26 billion each year in the U.S. The good news is that more pre-term babies are surviving and fewer teenagers are giving birth. However, the USA ranks 23rd in infant mortality when compared to other developed nations. Even though infant mortality is going down in America - in 2003, 6.8 babies of every 1,000 died during their first year, down from 7 per 1,000 in 2002 - other developed nations have been surging ahead at a much faster rate. The average infant mortality rate in the European Union, which includes its new Eastern European members, is 5 per 1,000. There are indications which may point towards a higher risk of giving birth prematurely, including: If the mother gave birth prematurely before.
- If the mother is going to give birth to twins or triplets.
- Afro-American women are much more likely to give birth early than white or Hispanic women - even when the women have similar incomes, education and access to good health care.
- Women who have become pregnant as a result of fertility treatment. Even if they are carrying just one child.
- Extremely young mothers and mothers over 35.
- Women who are poor.
- Women who smoke.
- Women who do not have access to prenatal care.
- Women who are under a lot of stress.
- Women who are obese.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
8-01-2006 @ 8:49PM
daisy said...I understand why you chose that picture, given the context of the story, but considering that right now the vast majority of happy pictures on the site are of white children, might you also consider finding a healthy, beautiful black baby to post a photo of as well?
Reply
8-02-2006 @ 2:23AM
Tamyu said...And then there are those who end up having their babies early without any of those applying to them. Like me. If you are worried about an early birth, the best thing you can do is have your doctor monitor you. I was worried, but everyone told me that since I had no risk factors that I shouldn`t. If you are worried, let your doctor know.
Reply
8-02-2006 @ 10:36AM
Anna V. said...I really dislike when the US's infant mortality rate is presented in such a fashion as to suggest our healthcare system is lacking. Our rate is so high because we have the ability to save babies born before the 25th week. The chances of success are not very high, and that's what drives the rate up. But some born very premature do survive, ones that if born 20 years ago or in another country would not live to take their first breath. You have to look at the good as well as the bad.
I had my boys premature, after being on hospital besdrest for 3 weeks. They were 6 weeks early. At that gestation, I was given about a 99% survival rate (they didn't want to say 100%, things happen). Our medical advances helped make that possible.
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8-03-2006 @ 3:42AM
Tamyu said...Anna - I have to comment on your comment, even though I doubt anyone will read it...
The infant mortality rate in the US DOES indeed reflect the situation in the US. The countries that rank above the US (or below, in numbers of deaths) are also largely countries that have the ability to "save" babies born before 25 weeks. For example, the
country in which I live - Japan - ranks 4th. Babies born at 22 and 23 weeks gestation are regularly treated and "saved". My son weighed less than a pound - a cut off for many US hospitals - and was given wonderful care.
There is obviously something wrong in the US for
there to be such a drastic difference. In addition to medical care, I think it has to do with society itself. There are far more babies born in poor health in the US than there should be - unfortunately caused by drugs.
The figures are skewed, but not because of the age of the babies cared for. It`s because of the poor levels of health they start at... Along with some bits lacking
in medical care.
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8-03-2006 @ 8:11AM
Anna V. said...Tamyu,
I do see your point, there are plenty of unhealthy babies born because their mothers do drugs, or they leave their kids in a hot car to run an errand, or for some other sick, sad reason. I am positive that this plays a factor as well. We are a pretty big country, I'm sure there are a lot of reasons. I just get a little tired of the 'let's bash the US healthcare system!' attitude. I live under socialized health care (the military), and I don't think it would help much either.
I couldn't resist replying, I do love a good debate, but for everybody else's sake, I'll stop after this. It could last a very long time! : )
Reply
8-03-2006 @ 10:29AM
Tamyu said...I`m all for a good debate, but this isn`t really something to debate about. I don`t intend to insult the US medical system, and I really don`t think the original article does either. The fact is, however, that the figures are accurate. More babies are dying, and it isn`t because of the ability (or lack there of) to care for premature infants. All the top countries can and do care for them. It`s due to other unfortunate factors.
I don`t really know anything about how the US healthcare system works - my entire adult life has been spent elsewhere - so I certainly don`t feel that I am qualified to rate it one way or another. I do feel though, that there are a lot of signifigant problems that need to be taken care of long before anyone starts on the health care.
Either way - I was just defending the numbers. They are accurate and aren`t skewed because of prematurity. There are other more fundamental reasons... That are unfortunately more common in the US than a lot of other developed countries.
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