Sarah Fowler

The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi is the worst state in the nation for premature births, and the problem isn't getting any better.

According to the 2017 March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, released Wednesday, Mississippi earned an F. Last year, 13% of babies born in Mississippi were considered preterm. This year, that number grew to 13.6%, the report stated.

Wengora Thompson, maternal child health director with March of Dimes in Mississippi, said babies born before 37 weeks can experience issues with their vision and hearing and development as they age.

"Many of our babies are born too early in Mississippi, not allowing them to fully develop which, in turn, can create issues for them as they grow as children," Thompson said.

Some babies, however, might not get the chance to grow into children. Preterm birth is the largest contributor of infant death, Thompson said.

Dr. Charlene Collier, perinatal consultant with the state Department of Health, said she was in the process of analyzing the data to better understand the increase.

"It is not a substantial increase but obviously it's not going in the direction we would like it to be. Unfortunately, this is following a national trend."

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After nearly a decade of declining premature birthrates, the number increased in 2016, earning the nation as a whole a C, the report stated.

More than 380,000 babies are born preterm in the U.S. each year, facing a greater likelihood of death before their first birthday or lifelong disabilities and chronic health conditions.

An additional 8,000 babies were born prematurely in 2016, the March of Dimes said. Mississippi was among five states that saw an increase in premature births.

"The 2017 March of Dimes Report Card demonstrates that moms and babies in this country face a higher risk of preterm birth based on race and zip code,” March of Dimes President Stacey Stewart said in the release.

Thompson said that, while there isn't one specific reason for preterm births, it's essential to make sure women are healthy before and during pregnancy.

"Although there is work being done, it means we have to buckle down on our efforts," she said. "This will have to be a state effort, it can't be a few people on board. We need a systemic change."

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Currently, the Mississippi Department of Health recommends women get screened during pregnancy for prior preterm births. Thompson said the March of Dimes recommends those women then take 17P, a prescription given to pregnant women.

The drug is not a guarantee but can decrease the risk of preterm birth by a third, according to the Health Department.

By taking 17P, "we may be seeing fewer very early babies," Collier said.

Thompson also recommends women not smoke during pregnancy and, if possible, quit smoking before becoming pregnant; that they space births of children at least two years apart; and take low dose aspirin to reduce the risk of preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure.

Preterm births and care during infancy and as the child develops costs the state of Mississippi $250 million a year in medical expenses, she said. Thompson believes the emotional cost to families and the economic cost to the state, as well as the number of babies born preterm, can be lowered.

"If we can provide babies who become children in this state with the healthiest start possible, we'd see a lot of change with our health and educational outcomes," she said.

"If we can tackle preterm birth, which I do believe we can, the science is there, let's do that."

Follow Sarah Fowler on Twitter: @FowlerSarah