Recent studies have shown that, in the United States, pre-term birth rates have risen up to nearly 13 percent. The FDA noted that this percentage rate is too high and that it should be no higher than nearly 7.5 percent. This affects nearly 550,000 babies during a yearly basis. Premature birth not only ends up affecting the child’s health but also their personality in the long run. It can also end up in death during the first month of the child or could be the cause of disabilities that could create complications for the child’s health. Illnesses such as asthma, hearing loss, and cerebral palsy are a few examples of the many illnesses that can happen because of premature births.

The March of Dimes created a premature birth report during the nation’s Prematurity Awareness Day, which takes place November 12^th. Unfortunately, not a single state in the US received an A. The only state that came close was Vermont, which ended up with a B grade. All 23 states ended up with a D grade, the same grade that the whole nation received.

The rate of preterm birth continues to rise on a daily basis. This will costs the US plenty of money in the long run. This cost will be approximately be over $25 billion within a year and is over 55% more than what the federal government plans to do by 2010. It has risen under 20% between the decade of 1995 and 2005.

Many of our leading experts are puzzled as to why the rate of premature births continues to increase. Many are now performing researching methods and observations to prevent these causes and find out why these rates continue to soar over time.

Although there are no concrete reasons as to why this is on the rise as of now, there are risk factors that are considered. Smoking during the child bearing stage is one of the largest risk factors for premature birth.