Expanded health data from the new birth certificate, 2006

Abstract

Objectives: This report presents 2006 data on new checkbox items exclusive to the 2003 U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth. Information is shown for checkboxes in the following categories: "risk factors in this pregnancy," "obstetric procedures," "characteristics of labor and delivery," "method of delivery," "abnormal conditions of the newborn," and "congenital anomalies of the newborn." These categories are included on both the 1989 and the 2003 U.S. Standard Certificates of Live Birth; however, many of the specific checkboxes were modified, or are new to the 2003 certificate. Data on selected new (not modified) checkboxes are presented in this report.

Methods: Descriptive statistics are presented on births occurring in 2006 to residents of the 19 states that had implemented the 2003 U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth as of January 1, 2006.

Results: There were 2,073,368 births to residents of the 19-state reporting area, representing 49 percent of 2006 U.S. births. The rate of prepregnancy diabetes was 6.8 per 1,000 births and gestational diabetes was 38.7; risk of both types of diabetes rose rapidly with advancing maternal age. Cervical cerclage was reported at a rate of 2.9 per 1,000. External cephalic version was used in 3.2 of every 1,000 births; its success rate decreased with increasing maternal age. Almost all attempts at forceps or vacuum delivery were successful. About 25 percent of women who had a cesarean delivery attempted a trial of labor. Fifteen percent of women received antibiotics during labor. Rates for antenatal steroids (8.4) and surfactant replacement therapy (3.2) decreased with increasing gestational age. Large differences by race and Hispanic origin were generally seen for the receipt of steroids and surfactant replacement therapy regardless of gestational age. Six percent of all infants were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).