12.5% of babies are born premature in the USA, that is a total of half a million babies each year – 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 is costing the USA $26 billion each year. Doctors say there should be more ultrasound exams during pregnancy. Others are calling for stricter fertility treatment guidelines.

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.

8.1% of babies were born with a low birthweight in 2004, up from 7.9% in 2003 in the USA. A baby is considered to be of low birthweight when he/she is under 5.5lbs (2.5 kilos).

Dr. Jay Iams, Ohio State University, co-author of one of the new reports, says it is virtually impossible for health care professionals to predict who is going to give birth early. He says we urgently need to carry out research into better predicting pre-term births.

The authors say many pregnant mothers live under the illusion that a pre-term birth is no big deal. They believe modern medicine will sort everything out and their bouncing baby will thrive, even is he/she is born premature.

Dr. Iams states that having a pre-term baby is a big deal. It is a problem that is not appreciated by the US public.

A premature baby is one that is born before 38-42 weeks of pregnancy, before the 37th week is complete. The earlier the baby is born the greater is his/her risk of having devastating disabilities, such as cerebral palsy and mental retardation.

There are some indications which may point towards a higher risk of giving birth prematurely. For example:

— 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

However, most health care experts agree that it is very hard to predict who is going to give birth too early.

Infant Mortality Rates, 2006

Lithuania – 6.78
Croatia – 6.72
United States – 6.43
Taiwan – 6.29
Cuba – 6.22
Korea, South – 6.16
Faroe Islands – 6.12
Italy – 5.83
Isle of Man – 5.82
Aruba – 5.79
New Zealand – 5.76
San Marino – 5.63
Greece – 5.43
Monaco – 5.35
Ireland – 5.31
Jersey – 5.16
European Union – 5.10
United Kingdom – 5.08
Gibraltar – 5.06
Portugal – 4.98
Netherlands – 4.96
Luxembourg – 4.74
Canada – 4.69
Guernsey – 4.65
Liechtenstein – 4.64
Australia – 4.63
Belgium – 4.62
Austria – 4.60
Denmark – 4.51
Slovenia – 4.40
Spain – 4.37
Macau – 4.35
Switzerland – 4.34
France – 4.21
Germany – 4.12
Andorra – 4.04
Czech Republic – 3.89
Malta – 3.86
Norway – 3.67
Finland – 3.55
Iceland – 3.29
Japan – 3.24
Hong Kong – 2.95
Sweden – 2.76
Singapore – 2.29

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today