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Perinatal Indicators Preterm Births
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Babies born more than three weeks early or before they have reached 37 weeks gestation are considered preterm. Preterm birth before 32 weeks gestation or 7½ months is considered very preterm.
The number and rate of preterm births provide an important measure of our current and future health status and needs.
What does research tell us?
• Preterm birth is one of the leading reasons that babies die or are ill in the first year of life.
• Preterm babies are more likely to suffer life-long complications from developmental, neurological, and learning disabilities, and life-long chronic health problems. Social and economic disadvantages are also associated with these disabilities.1
• Two to three out of 10 babies born weighing under 1500 grams, or 3 lbs. 4 oz. (most of these are very preterm) have mild to moderate impairments in vision, hearing, speech, and mental and physical ability. Two out of 10 have severe sensory and neurologic impairments.2
• Children who are born weighing under 1500 grams, or 3 lbs. 4 oz.. are more likely to have decreased scores in verbal comprehension and processing, reading, spelling, and math. These children are more likely to repeat one or more grades in school, and are less likely to graduate from high school.6,7
• Adolescents who were born weighing under 1000 grams, or 2 lbs. 3 oz. (most are less than 28 weeks gestation), are more likely to have emotional problems, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and hyperactivity.5
• Nearly half of the babies born weighing under 1000 grams have some impairment in sight, hearing, speech, or development, evident by age 18 to 22 months.4
• By age 7, half of the children born weighing under 1000 grams require special education.8
• The direct medical costs for caring for a single low birthweight or premature infant are estimated to be $50,000 more than the cost for an infant born on time and at a healthy birthweight.[MOD]
What does this mean for Los Angeles County?
Compared with national averages, LA County has a lower rate of preterm births.
Each year in LA County:
• 1 out of every 10 babies is born preterm.
• Approximately 2,000 babies are born before 32 weeks gestation (very preterm).
• Among babies born very preterm, nearly 540 are born between 24 and 28 weeks gestation (extremely preterm), and at increased risk for the most serious complications described above.
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