help reduce cost:
Premature birth touches everyone
. The emotional costs for families can be devastating and life-changing. The financial costs affect all of us. Prematurity accounts for almost half of hospital charges for infants.
The Economic and Societal Costs
Medical costs for a premature baby are much, much greater than they are for a healthy newborn. In 2005, preterm birth cost at least $26.2 billion, or $51,600 for every infant born prematurely.
The Cost to Business
Employer health costs for premature babies during the first year of their lives average $49,033, compared to $4,551 for babies born healthy and full term.
The Emotional Toll
When a baby arrives early, the family faces a stressful new world. The parents may see the baby only briefly before she is whisked away to an intensive care unit.
