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Epidemiology of late preterm (near-term) births

Tonse N K Raju1

  • 1National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. rajut@mail.nih.gov

Clinics in Perinatology
|December 7, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The rate of preterm birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, is rising in the US. This increase is primarily due to late preterm births (34-36 weeks), prompting a review of their epidemiology.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Neonatal Health
  • Public Health Epidemiology

Background:

  • The preterm birth rate in the United States has shown a concerning upward trend.
  • This rise is significantly influenced by an increase in late preterm births, occurring between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation.
  • In 2004, the national preterm birth rate reached 12.5%, a record high since data collection began.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current epidemiological trends of late preterm births in the US.
  • To highlight the public health implications of the increasing incidence of late preterm births.
  • To propose a future research agenda focused on understanding and mitigating late preterm birth.

Main Methods:

  • Review of national vital statistics data on birth timing.
  • Analysis of trends in preterm birth rates, specifically focusing on the late preterm category.
  • Synthesis of existing literature on the epidemiology and outcomes of late preterm infants.

Main Results:

  • The overall preterm birth rate has increased, with late preterm births being the primary driver.
  • The 2004 preterm birth rate of 12.5% represents a significant public health concern.
  • Data indicates a substantial rise in infants born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation.

Conclusions:

  • Late preterm birth represents a critical and growing component of the overall preterm birth problem.
  • Further research is essential to understand the specific causes and consequences of late preterm births.
  • A targeted research agenda is needed to address this escalating public health issue.

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