The nation's preterm birth rate declined slightly in 2007 - a
finding that the March of Dimes hopes will prove to be the start
of a new trend in improved maternal and infant health. The
preterm birth rate declined for babies born at 34-36 weeks
gestation (late preterm) and among babies born to African
American and white women. "We're encouraged by this drop in the
preterm birth rate, and hope that the emphasis we've put on the
problem of late preterm birth is beginning to make a
difference," said Jennifer L. Howse, Ph.D., president of the
March of Dimes. "Through our Prematurity Campaign, we can build
on this success and begin to give more babies a healthy start in
life." The rate of preterm births (less than 37 weeks gestation)
dropped to 12.7 percent from 12.8 percent in 2006, a small but
statistically significant decrease, according to preliminary
birth data for 2007 released by the National Center for Health
Statistics. The preterm birth rate has increased by 36 percent
since the 1980s, and despite the de