The data, from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia and the 50 largest cities, came from the National Center for Health Statistics. Read more State statistics Low birthweight Unmarried mothers Mothers who smoked during pregnancy Mothers receiving late or no prenatal care The numbers for the largest cities are not encouraging. For the most part babies born in uban America fare much worse than those born in the rest of the nation. To some extent, the report says, statistics reflect poverty and discrimination. Less prenatal care affects a baby's health.
Smoking is associated with low birth weight and infant deaths.
A mom's educational level is associated with infant deaths and a child's potential educational level. Babies born at less than 5.5 pounds have a high probability of dying. Babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy risk death, disability and illness. These children are more apt to drop out of school, give birth out of wedlock, divorce and depend on welfare. Bathing Suit Season will be here before you know it.