(ST. LOUIS, April 15, 2009) – Missouri recorded a drop in premature babies to 12.5 percent of all births in 2007, according to preliminary figures reported by the National Center for Health Statistics.
If the preliminary figure holds, it will be the second straight yearly decline and puts Missouri’s preterm birth rate at the lowest level since 11.9 percent in 2000. In 2005, 13.3 percent of Missouri babies were born too soon. That dropped to 12.8 percent in 2006.
Even with the reduction, more than 10,000 babies in Missouri are born prematurely every year.
The drop comes as thousands of Missourians are preparing to walk in March of Dimes March for Babies this month.
“We’re encouraged by the two years of decline,” Dr. F. Sessions Cole, Missouri March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign Chair and Chief of Neonatology at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, said. “I hope that the emphasis our March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign has placed on late preterm birth is having an effect.”
March of Dimes has not completed analyzing the data to determine reasons for the decline. Missouri’s prematurity rate has now dropped below the national average of 12.7 percent.
“We know these figures can change from year to year, but we hope we can build on this success and give even more of Missouri’s babies a healthy start in life,” Deborah Kersting, executive director of the Greater Missouri Chapter of March of Dimes, said.
The director of Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services welcomed the news. “The reduction in premature birth is good news for Missourians,” Margaret Donnelly said. “We intend to keep working to see that every expectant mother gets the proper nutrition and prenatal care necessary to give her the best chance of delivering a full-term baby.”
“This is a great morale boost for the thousands of people who are going to come out for March for Babies events this month,” Kersting added. “They can see results from their fundraising efforts over the years.” There are 16 March for Babies events in the state in April and May. To find the nearest one, visit marchofdimes.com/missouri.
“If March of Dimes can keep one child out of a wheelchair, or avoid years of therapies, help parents avoid missed days of work to be with their child for surgeries, we are achieving miracles,” Kersting said. “We envision the day when every baby is born healthy, and we won’t stop our work in Missouri and Metro East until that day arrives.”
Missouri March of Dimes is pursuing a variety of strategies to combat premature births. These were the strategies developed at a medical conference in St. Louis last December:
• Physician and hospital commitment to excellence in accord with guidelines of the American Council on Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Those guidelines state that cesareans should not be performed before 39 weeks gestation without verification of fetal lung maturity.
• Improved data collection tracking preterm births throughout the state, by hospital.
• Encouraging the Nixon administration and state Legislature to devote additional state funds for smoking cessation.
• Urging the Legislature to create a statewide Prematurity Epidemic Commission.
• Launch a public awareness campaign about prematurity as an epidemic in Missouri.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. For Missouri news, visit marchofdimes.com/missouri.
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