Kristie McNealy, MD

Recent research has shown that late preterm birth is on the rise, and that these babies face significant health risks.  Not surprisingly, an additional study on late preterm birth has shown that late preterm babies, born between 33 and 35 weeks gestation, face significantly higher health care costs than their full-term peers.

The study, carried out by MedImmune – the makers of Synagis, examined insurance claims from 2004, and found that 66% of late preterm babies had extended hospital stays at birth.  They also had an average birth hospitalization cost that was more than 10 times the average cost incurred by full-term babies during the same year.  After hospital discharge, additional medical care for late preterm babies averaged $12,247 during their first year of life.  This is more than 3 times the cost of full term babies.  In addition, late preterm babies were twice as likely to be admitted to the hospital during their first year of life.

Clearly, the consequences of late term birth to future health and medical costs is significant.  All the more reason to work hard to bring pregnancies all the way to term, and not settle with “close enough” unless it is medically necessary.

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