Preterm birth is defined as a live birth before 37 completed weeks gestation. Some other classifications of preterm births include late preterm (34-36 weeks), moderately preterm (32-36 weeks) and very preterm (<32 weeks). These classifications are useful because they often correspond to clinical characteristics - increasing morbidities or illnesses with decreasing gestational age. Babies born too soon are often born too small. While the causes of preterm birth and low birthweight may be different in some cases, there is significant overlap within these populations of infants.
Last updated:
January 2022
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In 2021, 1 in 10 babies (10.0% of live births) was born preterm in Arizona.
The rate of preterm birth in Arizona is highest for black infants (13.6%), followed by American Indian/Alaska Natives (11.3%), Asian/Pacific Islanders (9.8%), Hispanics (9.5%) and Whites (9.0%).
Compared with singleton births (one baby), multiple births in Arizona were about 7 times as likely to be preterm in 2021.
Notes: Very preterm is less than 32 weeks.
Sources: National Center for Health Statistics, final natality data. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from www.marchofdimes.org/peristats.
In 2021, 1,120 babies, or 1.4% of live births, were very preterm in Arizona.
Major risk factors for preterm and very preterm births include multiple births, history of preterm delivery, stress, infection, smoking and illicit drug use.
Very premature babies who survive may suffer lifelong consequences, including cerebral palsy, blindness and other chronic conditions.