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Show Low Birthweight The United States ranks 25th among developed countries for its infant mortality rate of 8.0 per 1,000 live births. Low birthweight is a major predictor of infant death and is defined as less than 2,500 grams; very low birthweight is less than 1,500 grams; and extremely low birthweight is less than 1,000 grams. Infants born weighing less than 2,500 grams at birth often endure long-term health and developmental conditions from birth to adulthood. Two-thirds of infant deaths under 28 days are low birthweight infants who were born pre-term (less than 37 completed weeks of gestation); and half of these infants who died weighed less than 1,500 grams.82 Table 100. Percent Low Birthweight Infants by Weight at Birth: Utah and United States Utah Healthy People United 2000 Goal States Year <2,500 <5.0 <5.0 <2,500 1975 5.3 +0.3 +2.4 7.4 1980 5.3 +0.3 +1.8 6.8 1985 5.7 +0.7 +1.8 6.8 1986 5.4 +0.4 +1.8 6.8 1987 5.7 +0.7 +1.9 6.9 1988 5.7 +0.7 +1.9 6.9 1989 5.7 +0.7 +2.0 7.0 1990 5.7 +0.7 +2.0 7.0 1991 6.0 +1.0 +2.1 7.1 1992 5.6 +0.6 +2.1 7.1 1993 6.0 +1.0 +2.2 7.2 1994 5.9 +0.9 +2.3 7.3 1995 6.3 +1.3 +2.3 7.3s4 1996 6.685 +1.6 +2.4 7.486 1997 6.6 +1.6 +2.5 7.5 The national rate of low birthweight rose to 7.5% for 1997, the highest level reported since 1973.83 National trends contributing to the rise in low birthweight infants include (1) a short time between births (2) low weight gain during pregnancy (3) smoking during pregnancy (4) urinary or genital infections during pregnancy Source: Utah Department of Health, Division of Health Care Resources, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Utah's Vital Statistics Annual Report 1989, No. 148, p. 11. Office of Vital Records, Utah Department of Health and National Vital Statistics System, U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention. [Online] Available <http://www.health.state.ut.us/matchiim/main/LBW/home.htm>. Figure 44 "55 i b c t' f*~-~4 -?-Utah -W- United States -?-Utah ~~~9~~~ United States 82 Utah Department of Health. [Online] Available <http://www.health.state.ut.us/matchiim/main/LBW/whyimp.htm>. 83 National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 47, No. 18, p. 14. [Online] Available <http://www.cdc.gov/nchswww/data/nvs47_18.pdf>. 84 U.S. National baseline: 1.3 very low birthweight (in 1995). Ibid. 85 Utah baseline: 6.6% <2,500 grams low birthweight (in 1996); 0.6% <1,500 grams very low birthweight (in 1996); and 0.5% <1,000 grams extremely low birthweight (in 1996). Utah Department of Health. [Online] Available <http://www.health.state.ut.us/matchiim/main/LBW/compare.htm>. 86 U.S. National baseline: 7.4% low birthweight (in 1996). Ibid. 118 |