Perinatal Indicator: Preterm Birth
Definition
A baby is considered full-term at 40 weeks. Babies born before they have reached 37 weeks in the womb are considered preterm. A baby born before 32 weeks in the womb is considered very preterm.
Why Does This Matter?
Preterm birth is one of the primary reasons that babies die or become ill in the first year of life. Babies born too early are at high risk for suffering lifelong complications, including developmental, neurological and learning disabilities. They also face a range of chronic health problems and tend to suffer from academic, social, and even economic disadvantages. The cost of caring for a single premature infant can be 25 times higher than the average cost for an infant born on time and at a healthy weight.
For further information, please read the LA Best Babies Network Perinatal Scorecard
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Sources: County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health Programs; March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center, 2009. |
Percent of Preterm Births by Race/Ethnicity, Los Angeles County (2007)
Gestational Age
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Ethnicity/Race
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White
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Black
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American Indian/ Native American
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Asian
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Hawaiian/ Pacific
Islander
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Hispanic
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LAC
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< 20 wks
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0.0%
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0.1%
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0.0%
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0.0%
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0.2%
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0.1%
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0.1%
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≥ 20 wks and < 24 wks
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0.1%
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0.5%
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0.0%
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0.1%
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0.2%
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0.1%
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0.2%
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≥ 24 wks and < 28 wks
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0.3%
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0.9%
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1.7%
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0.2%
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0.2%
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0.4%
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0.4%
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≥ 28 wks and < 32wks
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0.9%
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2%
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1.3%
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0.8%
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1.2%
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1.0%
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1.0%
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≥ 32 wks and < 34 wks
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1.5%
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2.3%
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3.8%
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1.2%
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1.5%
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1.4%
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1.5%
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≥ 34 wks and < 37wks
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7.8%
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10.1%
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8.9%
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7.5%
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6.9%
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8.4%
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8.3%
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Source: California Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics, OHIR Vital Statistics Section, 2007 Vital Statistics, prepared by LA Best Babies Network, 2009. |