The Cost of Low Birthweight Babies

About one in 12 infants (8.1 percent) is born at low or very low birthweight. Low birthweight is defined as less than 5 lbs. 8 oz. very low birthweight is less than 3 lbs. 5 oz. At birth, these babies face increased risk of respiratory distress, bleeding in the brain, heart and intestinal problems. Lasting health problems can include cerebral palsy, mental retardation, vision and hearing loss, social-emotional problems and learning difficulties. The rates of preterm births have steadily increased during the past decade.

Medicaid programs pay for 40 percent of preterm births.
Medicaid programs will spend $6.4 billion in the first seven years of life of preterm babies born in 2005.
Preterm births cost society at least $26 billion per year. This includes money spent on medical care for short- and long-term health conditions, educational expenditures and lost productivity.
Women can reduce their chances of having a low birthweight baby before they become pregnant by controlling chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and ensuring that they are free of infections and up-to-date on their vaccinations.
The risk of having a low birthweight baby decreases when pregnant women receive early and regular prenatal care; proper nutrition, including prenanal vitamins (especially folic acid); and stop smoking.

Sources: March of Dimes, 2007; Institute of Medicine, 2006.

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This Web page was adapted from an NCSL postcard published in February, 2008.

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