Premature birth is the number one killer of newborns and a major cause of serious health problems. Each year, premature births cost our society billions of dollars. Nearly half a million babies are born prematurely every year and the number is rising.

Here in Virginia, over 12,000 babies are born prematurely annually. Click here for the 2008 Virginia Prematurity Report Card (good thru Sept. 1, 2009). For more statistics about premature birth in Virginia, visit PeriStats.

The March of Dimes is leading a national effort to save babies from premature birth by funding research to find the causes and by supporting local programs that offer hope and help to families with a baby in intensive care.

For further information about our National Prematurity Campaign visit www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/