The Growing Problem of Preterm Birth: 1 in every 8 babies is born prematurely

Preterm birth occurs in 12.8% of the four million births in the United States annually—one of the highest rates of preterm birth in the world—and remains the major obstetrical problem in developed countries. Despite improvements in prenatal care, the rate of preterm birth is climbing—according to the CDC, the percentage of preterm births in the United States has increased by over 20% since 1990.

Babies who are born preterm (before 37 weeks) are at greater risk than those born at term (37 completed weeks) for mortality and serious long-term respiratory, central nervous system, hearing, vision, behavior and growth problems. The total societal cost associated with preterm birth was estimated to be about $26.2 billion in 2005 alone. ²⁰ And according to the March of Dimes, the average hospital charge for preterm/low-birthweight infants was $77,000 in 2003, compared to $1,700 for an uncomplicated newborn stay.  For more information, visit CDC and IOM.

A testament to the enormity of this problem is the 2008 Surgeon General’s Conference convened to outline an agenda to prevent preterm birth. This conference called for identification of biomarkers for preterm birth and for more effort to “speed the identification of, and treatments for, the causes of and risk factors for preterm labor and delivery."  For more information, visit Office of the Surgeon General.

ProteoGenix has successfully laid the groundwork for developing non-invasive diagnostics to help guide management of women with preterm birth to help improve outcomes for women and their babies.