Share of U.S. infants born before 37 weeks falls for seventh straight year

The share of U.S. infants born before 37 weeks of pregnancy fell by one-tenth of a percentage point in 2013, to 11.4%, the seventh annual decline, according to the latest annual report by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. The report summarizes national indicators of children’s wellbeing in seven domains: family and social environment, economic circumstances, health care, physical environment and safety, behavior, education, and health. Among other health-related changes in 2013, the share of children under age 17 with asthma dropped by one percentage point, to 8%, while the share of adolescents experiencing a major depressive episode rose by 2 percentage points, to 11%. In 2012, the AHA Board of Trustees adopted a formal position supporting policies to eliminate early-term, non-medically necessary deliveries, which research has shown can increase health complications for babies. Hospitals that participated in the AHA’s Hospital Engagement Network have reduced early elective deliveries by 61%.