Birth Statistics

After increasing for several years, the number of births in the United States declined slightly in 2001. Consider the most recent statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• In 2002, 4,021,726 babies were born in the US.
  
• The median age for women having their first baby is 25.1 years, compared with 24.8 years in 2001.
  
• Birth rates for women for women age 35 to 39 (41 births per 1,000 women)  and 40 to 44 (8 births per 1,000 women) were the highest in more than three decades.
  
• The birth rate for teenagers, ages 15 to 19 years, dropped 5 percent between 2001 and 2002. The current rate for teens is 43 births per 1,000 teens.
  
• In 2002, the twin birth rate continued to rise, increasing 3 percent between 2001 and 2002. The current rate is 31 twin births per 1,000 women.
  
• The preterm birth rate (less than 37 weeks in the womb) was 12.1 percent in 2002.
  
• Cesarean deliveries increased 7 percent from 2001 to 2002 to reach a rate of 26.1 percent of all births.   

Pediatric Care at Rush

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, is a leader in caring for children of all ages, from newborns through young adults.

At Rush, physicians from more than 30 specialties address the full range of pediatric diseases and congenital problems, from the common to the complex. Rush pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, nurses and other health professionals provide care that aims to fulfill community needs, empower parents and advance pediatric care.

For more information about the pediatric care at Rush visit the Rush Children’s Hospital home page.

Or phone (888) RUSH-KID or (888) 787-4543.

Looking for More Health Information?

• Visit our Health Information home page.
   
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• Visit Discover Rush’s Web Resource page to find articles on health topics and recent health news from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. You will also find many helpful links to other areas of our site.

Looking for a Doctor?

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, is a leader in caring for people of all ages, from newborns through older adults.

Just phone (888) 352-RUSH or (888) 352-7874 for help finding the Rush doctor who’s right for you.