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New study: Preterm birth causes one-third of all infant deaths
October 02, 2006Premature birth was the underlying cause of nearly twice as many infant deaths than previously estimated, according to a new analysis by researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The analysis, published today in Pediatrics, found that in 2002 preterm birth, birth at less than 37 completed weeks gestation, contributed to more than one-third of infant deaths within the first year of life.
"We have long known that babies born too soon face many challenges - even death," said Joann Petrini, Ph.D., director of the March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center. "But this research confirms the urgent role preventing preterm birth can play in improving infant mortality in the United States."
The U.S. infant mortality rate has declined since 1995 except between 2001 and 2002, when the rate increased for the first time since 1958.
In 2002, the National Center for Health Statistics listed short gestation/low birth weight as the cause of 17 percent of infant deaths. However, two-thirds of the infants who died in 2002 were born prematurely. This difference led the CDC researchers to speculate that premature birth plays a greater role in infant death than the official reporting system indicates.
The researchers proposed a new method to determine the contribution of premature birth to infant mortality. They reviewed causes of infant death and combined conditions, such as respiratory distress syndrome, which frequently occur in premature babies. This new method doubled the percentage of infant deaths caused by premature birth to 34.3 percent.
More than 95 percent of those deaths were of infants who were born at less than 32 weeks gestation, the definition of infants who are "very preterm."
Birth defects are the leading cause of infant death, followed by prematurity, according to the official reporting systems. But, using this new classification, premature birth would be the most frequent cause of infant death.
More than a half million babies are born too soon each year and the preterm birth rate has increased more than 30 percent since 1981. Babies who do survive face risks of lifelong challenges of cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing loss, as well as other developmental problems.
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
The U.S. infant mortality rate has declined since 1995 except between 2001 and 2002, when the rate increased for the first time since 1958.
In 2002, the National Center for Health Statistics listed short gestation/low birth weight as the cause of 17 percent of infant deaths. However, two-thirds of the infants who died in 2002 were born prematurely. This difference led the CDC researchers to speculate that premature birth plays a greater role in infant death than the official reporting system indicates.
The researchers proposed a new method to determine the contribution of premature birth to infant mortality. They reviewed causes of infant death and combined conditions, such as respiratory distress syndrome, which frequently occur in premature babies. This new method doubled the percentage of infant deaths caused by premature birth to 34.3 percent.
More than 95 percent of those deaths were of infants who were born at less than 32 weeks gestation, the definition of infants who are "very preterm."
Birth defects are the leading cause of infant death, followed by prematurity, according to the official reporting systems. But, using this new classification, premature birth would be the most frequent cause of infant death.
More than a half million babies are born too soon each year and the preterm birth rate has increased more than 30 percent since 1981. Babies who do survive face risks of lifelong challenges of cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing loss, as well as other developmental problems.
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Premature Birth Current Events and Premature Birth News RSSPreterm births rise 36 percent since early 1980s
New government statistics confirm that the decades-long rise in the United States preterm birth rate continues, putting more infants than ever at increased risk of death and disability.
Stanford/Packard study shows no benefit from drug widely used to prevent premature births
When a pregnant woman goes into early labor, her obstetrician may give her drugs to quiet the woman's uterus and prevent premature birth.
Guidelines urge physical activity during pregnancy
Moderate physical activity during pregnancy does not contribute to low birth weight, premature birth or miscarriage and may actually reduce the risk of complications, according to a Michigan State University professor who contributed to the U.S. government's first-ever guidelines on physical activity.
World-first to predict premature birth
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Pregnancy situations have impact on brain development in pre-term infants
Brain development in infants who are born very prematurely is still incomplete. Factors that cause premature birth may have an impact on the development of the premature infant's brain both during pregnancy and later on after birth.
Infections linked to premature births more common than thought, Stanford study finds
Previously unrecognized and unidentified infections of amniotic fluid may be a significant cause of premature birth, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Analysis of millions of US births shows association between birth defects and preterm birth
Babies born preterm were more than twice as likely to have major birth defects as full-term infants, according to a new analysis of nearly 7 million U.S. live births published online this week in the Springer journal Maternal and Child Health Journal.
Iron supplements might harm infants who have enough
A new study suggests that extra iron for infants who don't need it might delay development -- results that fuel the debate over optimal iron supplement levels and could have huge implications for the baby formula and food industry.
Premature births linked to physical abuse
Premature birth can have serious effects on the development and growth of children. In many parts of the world, preterm deliveries are increasing in frequency.
Genetic mutation increases risk of preterm birth
Genetic mutations in the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene appear to have significant association with inflammatory injury to the placenta and developing baby, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences report at the 28th annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
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