Premature Birth Fatal to More than 1M Babies Annually

According to The March of Dimes report, which used data collected by the World Health Organization, the highest premature birth rate is in Africa. The statistics reveal that 11.9 percent of births each year are preterm with more than 4 million premature deliveries annually.

In North America, which consists of Canada and the United States, there are fewer than 500,000 premature births a year. Yet. according to the report, the preterm birth rate is close to that of Africa, at 10.6 percent of all births. That rate makes North America the world's second highest when it comes to premature births.

In a statement issued by March of Dimes President Jennifer Howse said, "Premature births are an enormous global problem that is exacting a huge toll emotionally, physically and financially on families, medical systems and economies. In the United States alone, the annual cost of caring for preterm babies and their associated health problems tops $26 billion."

Babies born before completion of the 37th week of pregnancy are considered premature. More than 1 million babies born prematurely die each year before they are a month old. The March of Dimes report found that a small fraction of babies in the United States are born before 32 weeks, the very early premature infants who face the greatest risk of death and lifelong health problems. But even being born a few weeks early can lead to breathing problems, jaundice and learning or behavioral delays.

The March of Dimes report stated, "Preterm birth is a global problem ... The marked disparities in preterm birth along racial/ethnic lines in many high-income countries and the concentration of preterm births in Africa and Asia also clearly indicate that addressing preterm birth is essential for reducing the pronounced inequities in neonatal health and for the world to achieve."

Wealthier countries such as the United States have medically sophisticated neonatal units in hospitals and produce many miracle babies that may not have lived in poorer countries. However, there are many factors that are overlooked when it comes to these "miracle babies". After they are released from the hospital, many suffer life-long problems such as learning disabilities and cerebral palsy

The March of Dimes has great reference information about the prevention of premature births. Although these preventative measures can't be used in every case, they can help reduce some of the risk factors in mothers. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, nutrition, body weight and tobacco and alcohol use. Women who earlier gave birth to a preemie face a greater risk of having another.

Scientists do not know all the reasons for preterm birth or how to stop early labor once it starts. This is one reason that the report urges major new research. While doctors know some of the health and behavior factors in mothers that increase the risk of preterm births, doctors have yet to identify a reliable remedy to prevent early labor.

Written by Cheryl Phillips
Exclusive to: Huliq.com

Sources: World Health Organization, March of Dimes, CNN