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More Babies Born Prematurely, New Report Shows

March of Dimes Works Toward National Response to Infant Health Crisis

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The preterm birth rate rose again in 2005 and preliminary data for 2006 show a continued increase, underscoring the urgent need for a sustained, comprehensive plan to address this growing crisis.

"The more we learn about the terrible consequences of an early birth, the more determined the March of Dimes is to understand what causes preterm birth and how it can be prevented," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "That's why we are supporting a U.S. Surgeon General's conference for 2008 to bring together experts and develop a national agenda to prevent preterm labor and delivery."

Today, the National Center for Health Statistics released final birth data for 2005 showing that the preterm birth rate, the percentage of babies born at less than 37 weeks gestation, is continuing its relentless rise, with more than 525,000 babies, or 12.7 percent, born prematurely. That's up from 12.5 percent in 2004 and the 2006 preliminary report indicates that the preterm birth rate will continue its upward trend and reach 12.8 percent, about 543,000 babies.

The preterm birth rate has increased more than 20 percent since 1990. The data can be found at www.cdc.gov/nchs.

Prematurity is the leading cause of death in the first month of life, and even late preterm infants have a greater risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), feeding difficulties, temperature instability (hypothermia), jaundice and delayed brain development.

In 2005, preterm birth cost the nation more than $26.2 billion in medical and educational costs and lost productivity. Average first year medical costs were about 10 times greater for preterm than for term infants.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. For detailed national, state and local perinatal statistics, visit PeriStats at www.marchofdimes.com/peristats. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.

Source: March of Dimes

Web Site: http://www.marchofdimes.com/

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Fewer Custodial Parents on Public Assistance

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The proportion of custodial parents who received government assistance dropped 10 percentage points between 1993 and 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

According to Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2005, program participation declined from 41 percent in 1993 to 31 percent in 2005, after reaching a low of 28 percent in 2001. The percentage of custodial parents receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families fell from 22 percent to 6 percent during the 12- year period.

About 54 percent of custodial parents worked full time and year-round in 2005, up from 46 percent in 1993.

  Other highlights:

  -- The proportion of custodial parents who received the full amount of
     owed child support   increased from 37 percent in 1993 to 47 percent in
     2005.
  -- Child support collections totaled $25 billion. The average amount of
     child support received in 2005 ($3,600) was 64 percent of the average
     amount due ($5,600).
  -- The proportion of custodial parents and their children living in
     poverty declined from 33 percent in 1993 to 23 percent in 2001.
  -- In 45 percent of child support agreements that specified who was to
     provide health care coverage, the absent parent provided health
     insurance. Overall, approximately 3.3 million noncustodial parents
     provided some type of health insurance for their children.
  -- In the spring of 2006, an estimated 13.6 million parents had custody of
     21.2 million children younger than 21 while the other parent lived
     elsewhere. The number of custodial parents has remained statistically
     unchanged since 1994.
  -- The age of custodial mothers has increased. In 2006, 38 percent of
     custodial mothers were 40 or older, compared with 25 percent in 1994.

Most estimates in this report are from the 1994 through 2006 April biennial supplements to the Current Population Survey, cosponsored by the Census Bureau and the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Child Support Enforcement. Statistics from sample surveys are subject to sampling and nonsampling error.

For more information on the source of the data and accuracy of the estimates, including standard errors and confidence intervals, go to http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/childsupport/source05.pdf.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Web site: http://www.census.gov/