Rising Trends in Preterm Births in the United States from 2014 to 2023

A comprehensive review of birth data from the United States reveals a significant increase in preterm deliveries over the past decade. According to a recent report published in the June issue of Health E-Stats, a publication from the National Center for Health Statistics, the percentage of infants born prematurely has risen steadily between 2014 and 2023.

Researchers Joyce Martin, M.P.H., and Michelle J.K. Osterman, M.H.S., analyzed birth certificate data collected through the National Vital Statistics System. Their study highlights a 13% increase in preterm births, where infants are born before 37 weeks of gestation, rising from 7.74% in 2014 to 8.71% in 2023. Notably, early-term births, classified as between 37 and 38 weeks, also saw a 22% rise—from 24.31% to nearly 30% in the same period—mainly driven by increases at exactly 37 and 38 weeks.

Conversely, full-term births at 39-41 weeks experienced a decline of about 7%, dropping from nearly 61% to just over 57%. Late and post-term births also decreased significantly. The trend extended to induced labor, with a remarkable 77% increase in births where labor was medically initiated, rising from 17.7% to 31.3%. Inductions at 37 and 38 weeks saw increases of 81% and 68%, respectively.

These changes were observed across maternal age groups, with younger mothers under 30 and older mothers over 30 both experiencing significant upticks in early-term births. The findings emphasize ongoing shifts in obstetric practices and highlight concerns about the rising proportion of preterm deliveries, which can carry risks for infant health.

For detailed insights, see the full report at source.