March of Dimes: U.S. Ranks 131st Worldwide for Preterm Births

May 2, 2012

Today the March of Dimes released their "Born to Soon" report on preterm birth rates in the world. Out of the 15 million babies that are born prematurely (before 37 weeks of gestation is complete), half a million are in the U.S., placing our country 131st out of 200 countries, tied with Somalia, Turkey and Thailand with an average of 12 preterm babies out of every 100 births. You can view your state's preterm birth rating with this report card from the March of Dimes.

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The report also says that preterm birth is the number one cause of newborn deaths in the U.S., and that out of the one million preterm babies that die every year, 75 percent of those deaths were from preventable causes.

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The March of Dimes president Dr. Jennifer L. Howse said that while the U.S. has made strides in prenatal care, we don't do enough to prevent preterm births: “While our country excels in helping preemies survive, we have failed to do enough to prevent preterm births and help more mothers carry their babies full-term.”

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