Preterm Birth
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Preterm birth is when a baby is born too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed. In 2015, preterm birth affected about 1 of every 10 infants born in the United States. Preterm birth rates decreased from 2007 to 2014, and CDC research shows that this decline is due, in part, to declines in the number of births to teens and young mothers. But, more recent data indicate a slight increase in the national preterm birth rate from 2014 to 2015. And, while it’s too early to know what caused this increase or if this is the start of trend, we do know that racial and ethnic disparities persist. In 2015, the rate of preterm birth among African-American women (13%) was about 50 percent higher than the rate of preterm birth among white women (9%).
A developing baby goes through important growth throughout pregnancy─ including in the final weeks and months. For example, the brain, lungs, and liver need the final weeks of pregnancy to fully develop. Read Your Baby Grows Throughout Your Entire Pregnancy[PDF-312KB]. There is a higher risk to the baby of serious disability or death when the baby is born early. In 2013, about one third (36%) of infant deaths were due to preterm-related causes. Babies who survive may have
- Breathing problems
- Feeding difficulties
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delay
- Vision problems [PDF – 118KB]
- Hearing impairment
Preterm births may also take an emotional toll and be a financial burden for families.
Frequently Asked Questions: For Women and Their Families
Are some women more likely than others to deliver early? collapsed
What are the warning signs of preterm labor? collapsed
What should I do if I think I’m experiencing preterm labor? collapsed
Can anything be done to prevent a preterm birth? collapsed
I used in vitro fertilization (IVF) or another assisted reproductive technology (ART) to get pregnant. What is my risk of having a preterm birth? collapsed
Is it okay to schedule my baby’s birth before 39 weeks of pregnancy? collapsed
What is CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health doing to prevent preterm birth?
CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health is engaged in a variety of research and science to practice activities aimed at understanding and reducing preterm birth. CDC scientists are collaborating with many partners, including state health departments, university researchers, and other health care professionals to understand why preterm births occur and what can be done to help prevent them. Read about our preterm birth activities.
CDC’s Public Health Grand Rounds is a monthly webcast created to foster discussion on major public health issues. The November 2015 session, Public Health Strategies to Prevent Preterm Birth, discusses how concerted efforts to improve surveillance data, better medical care and prevention, and stronger public health partnerships, can accelerate progress in reducing preterm births and improving neonatal outcomes. View the archived presentation and publication
Related Links
- Video: Is It Worth It? Watch this video from the National Child and Maternal Health Education Program to learn the benefits of waiting until 39 weeks to deliver.
- Preterm Birth (March of Dimes) The March of Dimes launched the Prematurity Campaign to address the issue and help families have full-term, healthy babies.
- Preterm Labor and Birth (ACOG) [PDF – 282KB] This patient education pamphlet was developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
- Page last reviewed: October 17, 2017
- Page last updated: October 17, 2017
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