Preterm birth

Pregnancy, birth, and newborn, Children and teens. Also called: Premature birth.

How common is Preterm birth in the US?

Preterm births as a share of births, as defined in the report: 10.41% (3,628,934 US births registered in 2024; United States, 2024). Source: National Vital Statistics Reports (CDC NCHS), 2026. Label: VERIFIED.

• 10.41% Preterm births as a share of births, as defined in the report. Out of: 3,628,934 US births registered in 2024. Where: United States. When: 2024. Label: VERIFIED.

  The preterm birth rate (10.41%) was unchanged from 2023; low birthweight births declined 1% (8.52%).

  Source: Births: Final Data for 2024. National Vital Statistics Reports (CDC NCHS), 2026. PubMed 42378845. DOI 10.15620/cdc/252440.

Each figure measures something different. Do not compare them with each other or with other conditions.

Medical codes

• ICD-10-CM FY2026: P07.30 Preterm newborn, unspecified weeks of gestation (narrower). Codes by week of gestation also apply.

Research activity

As of 2026-09-24: 3,964 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov (search Preterm Birth) and 13,017 PubMed records, 2021 to 2025. A count of records is not how common or serious the condition is.

Population information, not medical advice. Methodology · Known limitations