Prematurity in New York State
A premature birth is any birth that occurs before 37 weeks gestation. In 2006, 1 in 8 babies (12.4% of live births) were born preterm in New York. Between 1996 and 2006, the rate of infants born preterm in New York increased nearly 16%.
The rate of preterm birth in New York is highest for black infants (16.7%), followed by Native Americans (12.9%), Hispanics (12.7%), whites (10.6%) and Asians (10.0%).
The number of late pre-term births in 2006, any birth that occurs between 34 - 36 weeks gestation, was 21,458, representing 8.6% of live births. The increase in premature birth rates in recent years is primarily associated with the rise in late-preterm births and has increased 25% since 1990 and account for 70% of all preterm births.
Being Born Prematurely Is A Significant Threat To An Infant's Health:
- According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of all infant deaths in 2002 were linked to prematurity.
- Premature infants are at increased risk for mental retardation, vision and hearing impairment, chronic respiratory disease and other developmental problems.
Prematurity Is A Serious Financial And Emotional Burden:
- In 2005, the annual societal economic cost (medical, educational and lost productivity) associated with preterm birth in the United States was at least $26.2 billion.
- Over the course of the first year, direct employer health costs (including visits to the doctor, drug costs, and hospital stays) are 15 times greater for a premature infant than a healthy, full-term infant.
Equal Access To Preventive Care Is Vital:
- Specialized care includes screening tests, immunizations and preventive treatments that can help protect and reduce the incidence of serious infections.
- A premature infant's access to preventive care should not depend on factors such as a family's income, a preemie's age at birth, or residency. Instead an appropriate course of treatment should be based on a doctor's experience, discretion and clinical data.
The Premature Infant Health Network of New York is made possible through the generous support of MedImmune, LLC.