Investing in Healthy Babies

Preterm births, many of which are preventable, result in an economic cost to society of an estimated $26 billion annually.  Medicaid covers approximately 40 percent of all U.S. births and 48 percent of hospital stays for preterm births.  State governments thus pay millions for neonatal intensive care and follow-up services for tiny infants.

Infants of women who receive late or no prenatal care are twice as likely to have a low birthweight, compared to infants of women who receive prenatal care within the first trimester.  Investing in prenatal care services and promoting breastfeeding can save states money.  Prenatal care provides women with:  access to screening and diagnostic tests that can identify problems early; services to manage problems such as hypertension, diabetes and infections; and education, counseling and referral to reduce risky behaviors such as the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.  Breastfeeding also improves infant health and saves money by reducing infections, asthma, allergies, diabetes, childhood obesity and sudden infant death syndrome.