It refers to the birth of a baby before 37 weeks which is the usual gestational age, or before the organs are fully developed to allow normal survival. According to the WHO, every year an estimated 15 million babies are born premature or preterm and over 1 million babies die due to preterm birth complications. Premature births are in fact the leading cause of death in newborn babies.
They are mostly due to early induction of labour or caesarean birth. Multiple pregnancies, infections, early adolescent pregnancies, diabetes, addcition and high blood pressure are believed to be responsible for preterm births though no medical consensus has been reached yet. There’s also enough evidence to suggest that early pregnancies or less gap between two pregnancies are responsible for preterm births.
The complications increase depending on the term of pregnancy. Infant mortality or death within the first year is the greatest danger. India has the maximum number of preterm births with 3,519,100 of them, almost 24% of the total number. Premature births also often result in brain damage and development delays. To reduce preterm birth rates, women – especially adolescents – need better access to family planning and increased empowerment, as well as improved care before, between and during pregnancies.
Different bacterial species were associated with quite a dramatic increased risk of premature birth.
This method of caring for preterm infants keeps the babies warm and nourished & makes them healthier and wealthier later in life.
Abnormal calcium deposits in the membranes surrounding the developing foetus is a potential culprit in premature birth.
Women who undergo a premature delivery have higher content of macro nutrients such as protein, fat and carbohydrates in their milk than women who give birth after week 37, according a new study.
A new research has revealed that a therapy widely recommended in the UK, Europe and the US to stop babies from being born too soon is ineffective.
Despite significant reductions in the number of maternal and child deaths, there has been little change in the number of stillbirths even though the majority are preventable, the study said.
Worried about your premature baby's well-being? Here are tips to help you.
Don't panic, reach out for help and breathe easy.
Montana couple give birth to 'one-in-a-million' identical triplets
Both smoking and second-hand smoke can lead to adverse consequences in your baby inside the womb. Read to know how.
Abnormal calcium deposits in the membranes surrounding the developing foetus is a potential culprit in premature birth.
Women who undergo a premature delivery have higher content of macro nutrients such as protein, fat and carbohydrates in their milk than women who give birth after week 37, according a new study.
A new research has revealed that a therapy widely recommended in the UK, Europe and the US to stop babies from being born too soon is ineffective.
Despite significant reductions in the number of maternal and child deaths, there has been little change in the number of stillbirths even though the majority are preventable, the study said.
Worried about your premature baby's well-being? Here are tips to help you.
Don't panic, reach out for help and breathe easy.
Montana couple give birth to 'one-in-a-million' identical triplets
Both smoking and second-hand smoke can lead to adverse consequences in your baby inside the womb. Read to know how.
