Rising Rate of Preterm Births in the United States Raises Concerns for Infants and Mothers, According to CDC Report
The rate of preterm births in the United States has been steadily increasing, posing potential health risks for both infants and mothers, according to a recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. The report, published this week, reveals that the rate of preterm births, defined as births occurring before 37 weeks of gestation, rose by 12% between 2014 and 2022, from 7.74% to 8.67%.
This increase in preterm births was observed across various demographics, regardless of age or race, although Black and Hispanic mothers were found to be more likely to give birth prematurely compared to White individuals. Additionally, older mothers generally faced a higher risk of delivering early compared to younger mothers.
Preterm births can lead to short-term health complications for babies, such as difficulties in fighting off infections, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal problems, as their organs have not fully developed. Consequently, premature infants often require longer hospital stays. In the long run, these babies may also experience chronic health conditions like asthma, dental problems, hearing loss, gastrointestinal disorders, and developmental delays. Moreover, pregnant individuals themselves can develop health complications if they deliver early.
To arrive at these findings, CDC researchers analyzed data from birth certificates that recorded single births registered in the United States from 2014 to 2022. However, the report does not provide any specific reasons behind this upward trend. Medical professionals generally struggle to determine why some individuals give birth earlier than their due dates, although certain conditions and factors have been associated with an increased risk.
Dr. Kaitlyn Stanhope, an assistant professor at Emory University specializing in women’s health and pregnancy-related stress research, expressed her concern about the significant rise in preterm births. She believes that the trend of people having children later in life and the increasing use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) could contribute to the higher risk of preterm birth. However, Stanhope acknowledges that these factors alone do not fully explain the situation.
Stanhope suggests that environmental factors may play a role, as the increase in preterm births spans across different races and age groups. Exposure to particle pollution, which previous studies have linked to an increased risk of preterm births, could be a potential environmental factor. Additionally, psychosocial stressors like chronic stress, anxiety, lack of support, unstable housing, and poor nutrition have also been associated with an elevated risk of early delivery.
Dr. Ellie Ragsdale, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology-maternal and fetal medicine at University Hospitals in Cleveland, agrees that the rise in preterm birth rates could be attributed to the declining overall health of Americans. Ragsdale points out that the increasing prevalence of obesity in the US population contributes to various health problems that can increase the risk of preterm births. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 1 in 4 women in the US are overweight, and 42.4% of adults have obesity. Obesity is associated with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and preeclampsia, which can prompt early delivery.
Contrary to popular belief, Dr. Manisha Gandhi, chair of the Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines-Obstetrics for the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, does not believe that doctors inducing early births or any biological changes that shorten pregnancy duration are responsible for the rising preterm birth rates. Instead, she suggests that the Covid-19 pandemic may have influenced these rates. Studies have shown that individuals infected with Covid-19 face a higher risk of delivering prematurely. Furthermore, many people postponed medical appointments during the pandemic, which could have impacted their overall health.
To reduce the likelihood of preterm births, Dr. Gandhi emphasizes the importance of prioritizing health before getting pregnant. She advises individuals to address issues like weight management, blood pressure control, and diabetes management prior to pregnancy. Optimizing health before conception is crucial because there is limited time to make significant improvements once pregnancy has already begun.
In conclusion, the rising rate of preterm births in the United States is a cause for concern, as it poses potential health risks for both infants and mothers. While the exact reasons behind this trend remain unclear, factors such as advanced maternal age, IVF usage, environmental factors like particle pollution, and psychosocial stressors may contribute to the increased risk. Additionally, the declining overall health of Americans, particularly the high prevalence of obesity, plays a significant role. The Covid-19 pandemic may have also influenced preterm birth rates due to the increased risk faced by infected individuals and the impact of delayed medical appointments on overall health. To address this issue, it is crucial for individuals to prioritize their health before pregnancy and make necessary lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of preterm births.
