March of Dimes: Florida gets a 'D' on premature births

Published: Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 6:01 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 5:52 p.m.

The March of Dimes says that Florida, despite progress, continues to have an unacceptable premature birth rate, putting infants at risk of cerebral palsy, lung disease, heart problems and other significant, long-term health issues.

With Prematurity Awareness Month now underway, Florida received a D on the nonprofit infant health research and education foundation's annual report card on premature birth rates.

In the state, 13.6 percent of births were preterm, or before 37 full weeks, the March of Dimes said. By comparison, the national rate was 11.4 percent the lowest in 17 years giving the country an overall C grade on the report card. The March of Dimes has a set goal of reducing the country's premature birth rate to 9.6 percent.

In Florida, African-Americans (17.7 percent), Native Americans (17 percent) and Hispanics (14.3 percent) all had premature birth rates above the statewide average, while white mothers (11.2 percent) and Asians (12.3 percent) were below the state average.

In its annual report, the March of Dimes noted that it remains "concerned about inequities in health and health care that contribute to higher rates of preterm birth among different racial and ethnic groups" and urged state and federal officials to "support funding and innovative practices that address the complex medical and social factors underlying racial and ethnic disparities in premature birth."

The March of Dimes and some local doctors say a mother's health and access to health care might contribute to a premature birth.

"Socio-economic status is big in the health of the mother," said Dr. Michael Cotter, an obstetrician and gynecologist practicing at North Florida Regional Medical Center. "Once again, it's terrible to be young and poor, whether it's big city or rural. They have the worst outcomes."

The March of Dimes annual report did point to some areas of progress in Florida. They include modest reductions in the state's rate of uninsured women from 28.2 percent to 27.7 percent and its rate of late preterm deliveries from 9.7 percent to 9.6 percent.

Those late preterm deliveries include early electives or non-medically necessary induced labor or cesarean section deliveries before 39 completed weeks of pregnancy. The state's rate of pregnant women who smoke also declined from 17.6 percent to 15 percent.

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March of Dimes: Florida gets a 'D' on premature births