U.S. excels at saving preemies but ranks poorly globally

Even though hospitals in the United States excel at saving premature infants, the nation fares as poorly as developing countries in the percentage of mothers who give birth before their child is due, according to the first country-by-country comparison of preterm births. The U.S. has the sixth-highest rate of preterm births among 184 countries and the highest among industrialized nations, says the March of Dimes report, "Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth." Because the U.S. can afford expensive, advanced medical care for preemies, the country's infant death ranking is much lower than its rate of preterm births. The U.S. ranks 37th of 184 countries for infant mortality, the report says.