Science / Medicine : Shortfall in U.S. Prenatal Care

One of six pregnant U.S. women fails to receive proper prenatal care, and wide differences exist in the quality of care offered to expectant mothers across the nation, according to a report released last week. A study by the Alan Guttmacher Institute found that about 16% of all women who give birth do not begin prenatal care until their fifth month or make fewer than half the number of visits recommended by medical experts.

In addition, the report found that as of the mid-1980s, only 1% of U.S. counties met the federal goal of at least 90% of mothers starting prenatal care in their first three months. The report by the New York-based nonprofit group found that inadequate care is highest among teen-age, unmarried and minority women--groups who generally are at higher risk for low birth-weight and premature babies.

One-third of teen-age mothers and one-third of unmarried mothers received inadequate care, about double the rate for all women, the researchers found. In addition, 32% of Indians, 30% of Latinos and 27% of blacks got poor prenatal care, compared with 13% of whites and Asians.