The report shows 43,344 babies were born preterm in Texas in 2024.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas received a “D” grade for its preterm birth rate in 2024, according to the 2025 March of Dimes Report Card.
The report shows 43,344 babies were born preterm, or before 37 weeks of gestation, last year in Texas. Nationally, the U.S. earned a “D+” grade, with about half of all states receiving a “D” or an “F.”
Texas ranked No. 40 out of 52, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with an 11.1% preterm birth rate.
National Center for Health Statistics data shows Texas’ preterm birth rate worsened from 10.3% in 2014 to 11.1% in 2024. Among major Texas cities, Irving received the highest grade – a “B+” with an 8.5% rate – followed by Dallas with a “B-” at 9.2% and Austin with a “C+” at 9.5%.
In 2024, KVUE’s Melia Masumoto spoke with Phylicia Teymer, an advocate for improved maternal health in Texas. Teymer first became involved with the issue after her son, Ethan, was born prematurely at 24 weeks and spent 147 days in a hospital’s intensive care unit.
“It’s so important that in Texas, and in any state, we advocate for the health of moms before, during and after pregnancy because NICU experiences are expensive and often preventable,” Teymer told KVUE.
According to the report, Texas also ranks among the top 20 states with the lowest rates of severe maternal morbidity, which is the rate of unexpected outcomes during labor and delivery that have short or long-term health consequences.
To see the full report, click here.