The U.S. is failing hundreds of thousands of its youngest citizens on the day they are born, according to the March of Dimes. Texas faces a crisis level of premature births that is driving up health-care costs and special education budgets, and preventive action is needed starting now, said an organization official.

In the first of what will be an annual Premature Birth Report Card, the nation received a "D," and not a single state earned an "A," when the March of Dimes compared actual preterm birth rates to the national Healthy People 2010 objective.

"The grade of `F' indicates how far Texas, with a preterm birth rate of 13.6, is from the Healthy People 2010 objective of 7.6 percent of all live births," said the representative.

The latest available data -- from 2005 -- show that the national preterm birth rate is 12.7 percent. The only state to earn a "B" was Vermont. Eight states earned a "C," 23 states earned a "D," and 18 states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia got failing grades of "F."

In addition to providing state rankings, the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card analyzes contributing factors and prevention opportunities, including rates of late preterm birth, smoking, and uninsured women of child-bearing age.

The Report Card offers four basic recommendations that can make a difference:

-- federal support for more research.

-- expanded access to healthcare coverage that includes smoking cessation programs.

-- a voluntary review by hospitals of C-sections and inductions to ensure that professional guidelines are followed.

-- and workplaces that support maternal and infant health.

Nov. 12 marks the nation's sixth annual Prematurity Awareness Day, a time when the March of Dimes mobilizes volunteers and parents to draw attention to premature birth (birth before 37 weeks gestation), which affects more than 530,000 babies each year in the U.S.

Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and a major cause of lifelong disability, said a March of Dimes spokesman.

"In this election year, the March of Dimes invites all Americans to help send a message to our incoming president and to federal and state lawmakers by signing the 2008 Petition for Preemies at marchofdimes. com/petition."

The purpose of the petition and the report card is to raise public awareness of the growing crisis of preterm birth so elected and appointed officials will commit more resources to address the problem, and policymakers will support development of strategies that benefit mothers and babies.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in the first month of life in the U.S.

The preterm birth rate has increased more than 20 percent since 1990, and costs the nation more than $26 billion a year, according to the Institute of Medicine report issued in July 2006.

Babies who survive a premature birth face the risk of serious life-long health problems including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss and other chronic conditions including asthma.

Even infants born just a few weeks too soon have a greater risk of breathing problems, feeding difficulties, temperature instability (hypothermia), jaundice and delayed brain development.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. Its mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes. com or nacersano.org.