The March of Dimes recently released its state grades for premature birth - the 2010 Premature Birth Report Card. The results were not good. New Jersey received a D grade for its high rate of premature births. One in eight babies born in New Jersey is born before 37 weeks.
Babies born prematurely (typically defined as before 37 weeks) have an increased chance of suffering cerebral palsy, and because their lungs are typically less developed than babies born full-term, premature babies may be placed on breathing machines. Other challenges for preemies include blindness and learning disabilities.
The North Jersey news, citing statistics released by the Institute of Medicine, indicate that 500,000 babies are born prematurely each year at a cost of $26 billion.
New Jersey's Premature Birth Rate Is Slowly Falling
Because of previous poor grades, New Jersey hospitals have focused on bringing down the rate of premature births. Many New Jersey hospitals no longer schedule elective cesarean sections before 39 weeks. This change seems to have budged the premature birth rate from 12.9 percent last year to 12.5 percent this year.
While the policy change on elective c-sections has reduced New Jersey's rate of premature births, it is clear that New Jersey obstetricians and hospitals must make other changes in maternal health care to obtain further decreases in the rate of babies born prematurely each year.
Premature births involve serious risks to the child including cerebral palsy and other birth defects. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy or another birth injury, contact an experienced birth injury lawyer.
