Study Finds Mortality Rate Higher For Babies Born At 37 Weeks

New research released this week finds that the infant mortality rate is higher for babies born at 37 weeks than those born at 40 weeks.

It’s a startling finding considering many doctors and mothers-to-be believe that a full-term baby is one born 36 to 37 weeks into the pregnancy.

The study, conducted by the National Institutes of Health, the March of Dimes and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, finds that while the overall risk of death is small, it more than doubles for infants born at 37 weeks when compared to those born at 40 weeks.

The rate of mortality for babies born at 40 weeks is 1.9 per 1,000 live births. But the mortality rate for babies born at 37 weeks is 3.9 per 1,000 live births.

A news release sent to ABC-7 from the El Paso office of the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality, included a statement from the medical director of the organization. Dr. Alan R. Fleischman said, “There is the perception that babies born between 37 and 41 weeks of pregnancy are all born healthy. But this study confirms that even babies born just a week or two early have an increased risk of death.”

The increased risk of death does not change with the race or ethnicity of the parents or child.

Liliana Oaxaca, the program services coordinator for the March of Dimes in El Paso, said there are crucial developments under way in the 37th week to the brain and lungs. If the development is interrupted, problems can ensue after birth.

“Blindness, hearing loss, vision loss, they can get infections in their lungs,” Oaxaca said. “Their lungs may not be fully developed, so once they’re out of the womb, they may need help.”

Oaxaca went on to say the baby may need treatment in a neonatal ICU.

While not all births can be carried out to full term due to complications, such as a health risk to the mother, the March of Dimes program services coordinator said this study applies to those who elect to induce early or plan cesarean section deliveries.

“We live in a world of convenience, so it’s a lot easier to schedule your C-sections ahead of time, or women just get tired of being pregnant,” Oaxaca said. “But if there’s no health risk involved, we do urge women to have their babies by at least 39 1/2 weeks to give the baby that full time to mature.”