Premature birth epidemiology and demographics
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Epidemiology and Demographics
Approximately 12 percent of babies in the United States — or 1 in 8 — are born prematurely each year.[1] In 2003, more than 490,000 babies in the U.S. were born prematurely. Worldwide rates of prematurity are more difficult to obtain as the lack of widespread professional obstetric care in developing regions makes determination of gestational age less reliable. The World Health Organization instead tracks rates of low birth weight, which occurred in 16.5 percent of births in less developed regions in 2000.[2] It is estimated that one-third of these low birth weight deliveries are due to premature delivery. Worldwide, prematurity accounts for 10% of neonatal mortality, or around 500,000 deaths per year.[3] In the U.S. where many infections and other causes of neonatal death have been markedly reduced, prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal mortality at 25%.[4]In fact, the rate of preterm births in the United States has increased 30% in the past two decades.[5]
References
- ↑ Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Sutton PD, Ventura SJ, Menacker F, Kirmeyer S. “Births: Final Data for 2004.” National Vital Statistics Reports, vol. 55, no 1. Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics, 2006.
- ↑ http://www.who.int/research/en/
- ↑ Child Health Research Project Special Report. "Reducing Perinatal and Neonatal Mortality." Meeting Report, vol. 3, no 1. Baltimore, Maryland, May 10-12, 1999.
- ↑ Mathew TJ and MacDorman MF. "Infant Mortality Statistics from the 2003 Period Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set." National Vital Statistics Reports, vol. 54, no 16. Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics, 2006.
- ↑ Mayo Clinic. Premature Birth. 6 November 2006.