Feature Highlight: Perinatal Data Snapshot

Perinatal data snapshots are available for the United States and every state. These documents provide a brief summary of maternal and infant health. Click on your state to access your snapshot (PDF format):

PDC’s Latest Research
Late-Preterm Birth and Cerebral Palsy

Babies born just a few weeks prematurely are more than three times as likely to have cerebral palsy than full-term infants--adding to the mounting evidence that the last few weeks of pregnancy are critical to a child's health and development. Click here for the full press release.

Late-Preterm Birth and Cesarean section

   Cesarean sections account for nearly all of the increase in U.S. singleton preterm births, according to an analysis of nine years of national birth data. Preterm birth is a serious and costly health concern and is the leading cause of death in the first month of life. More than half a million babies - one out of every eight - are born too soon each year in the United States. "The Relationship Between Cesarean Delivery and Gestational Age Among U.S. Singleton Births," by Bettegowda VR. et al. is published in Clinics in Perinatology, Vol. 35. Click here for the full press release.

Preterm Birth and Birth Defects

   Preterm birth, is a growing national health crisis, according to the March of Dimes. More than half a million babies are born too soon each year, and the rate continues to rise. Birth defects and preterm birth are the leading causes of infant death.

   "Infants born preterm were more than twice as likely to have major birth defects as infants born at term, and the association was strongest among very preterm babies," said Joann Petrini, PhD, MPH, director of the March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center, who also co-authored the study. "This study highlights the importance of understanding the possible shared causes and risk factors that lead to preterm birth among those infants affected by major birth defects."

   "The Association Between Major Birth Defects and Preterm Birth" by Honein, et al. was published online and is available free of charge at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10995-008-0348-y. Click here for full press release.

Data Updates: what's new in PeriStats

   U.S. overview slideset includes various topics on preterm birth, delivery method and infant mortality. Click here to access full slideset.

   Updated data on late-preterm birth is available on PeriStats Website, including late-preterm by maternal age, race/ethnicity and plurality. There are also topics on repeat cesarean and obesity. Check PeriStats for all topics available.

   The Perinatal Data Center is located at the March of Dimes national office in White Plains, NY. The Perinatal Data Center's role is to acquire and analyze maternal and infant health data, and to interpret this information for the March of Dimes, health professionals, research groups and organizations external to the March of Dimes.

   The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve infant health by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The goal of the Perinatal Data Center is to clearly present perinatal data, so that professionals focused on issues related to maternal and infant health can make more informed decisions to ultimately improve infant health. To fulfill this objective, the Perinatal Data Center staff collaborate and provide guidance on epidemiological and statistical analyses and grants, and present analytical findings at national conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.

   To contact the March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center,
e-mail us at peristats@marchofdimes.com.