March of Dimes gives B Grade to Rhode Island on Preemies
The March of Dimes has released its annual Premature Birth Report Card, and Rhode Island has got good grades on preemies. The 8th annual report card has given B grade to the state for relatively low number of premature babies born every year.
Rhode Island has ranked15th best in the country for low disparity in premature birth in rates between white people and other ethnic groups. Last year, the birth rate under 37 weeks of gestation was 8.7% for the state, as per the annual report card. The rate helped the state earn B grade and take a step forward to meet its goal of 8.1% by 2020.
According to health experts, premature babies have high chances of dying in their early days of life, or could experience lifelong health problems. Such babies could be traumatic for people living around them and health system.
Dr. Robert Insoft, neonatologist at Women & Infants Hospital and chairman of the board of the Rhode Island chapter of March of Dimes, said doctors can better address issues, such as obesity, smoking, hypertension and diabetes, linked with premature births if pregnant women are getting regular medical care.
According to Insoft, "Getting a B in the context of what March of Dimes is looking for is an excellent score. It reflects the great work done here over the last few years and decades. It also points out that there is still work to be done".