Report shows recent low birthweight rate highest in 40 years

The low birthweight rate in 2005 was 8.2%, the highest percentage since 1968, according to the 2008 Kids Count report, released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation on June 12.

The state with the highest percentage of infants with low birthweights was Mississippi at 11.8%. Among all states surveyed, 13.6% of all black infants were reported to have low birthweights, while 7.3% of whites and 6.9% of Hispanics had low birthweights.

The report also collected data on other indicators of child wellness and found no change in infant mortality and a decrease in the teen birth rate by 17% from 2000 to 2005. In addition, there were decreases in teen pregnancy and abortion rates, the report stated.