Share of U.S. infants born before 37 weeks falls for seventh straight year
The share of U.S. infants born before 37 weeks of pregnancy fell by one-tenth of a percentage point in 2013, to 11.4%, the seventh annual decline, according to the latest annual by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. The report summarizes national indicators of children’s wellbeing in seven domains: family and social environment, economic circumstances, health care, physical environment and safety, behavior, education, and health. Among other health-related changes in 2013, the share of children under age 17 with asthma dropped by one percentage point, to 8%, while the share of adolescents experiencing a major depressive episode rose by 2 percentage points, to 11%. In 2012, the AHA Board of Trustees adopted a formal supporting policies to eliminate early-term, non-medically necessary deliveries, which research has shown can increase health complications for babies. Hospitals that participated in the AHA’s Hospital Engagement Network have reduced early elective deliveries by 61%.