One in 10 babies in the U.S. ' nearly 374,000 infants ' were born preterm in 2023, meaning before 37 weeks of pregnancy. More than 15% were very preterm, meaning they were born before 32 weeks. A full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. According to the March of Dimes, preterm birth and low birthweight-related health complications cause 37.5% of infant deaths nationwide. This makes preterm birth the second-leading cause of infant deaths, after birth defects. Preterm babies who survive infancy are susceptible to health complications later in life, including cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. Preterm and low-birthweight babies ' those weighing less than 5.5 pounds (2,500 grams) ' are far more likely to go to the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU. Very preterm infants tend to have the longest NICU stays, averaging around 43 days. Beyond the emotional toll this takes on a family, preterm births and their resulting health complications carry substantial financial costs. The average...
learn more
