Out of 13m premature births each year, 1m infants die in first month

Premature Babies

A new report has revealed that out of the 12.9 million infants born prematurely each year, more than one million die within the first month.

The March of Dimes report is the first comprehensive report on premature births, and the organisation estimate the situation could worsen as the rate of premature births increases. The problem is concentrated in poorer countries, where it is largely hidden from the rest of the world. The vast majority of the one in ten babies born prematurely each year are in Africa and Asia, where millions of people do not have access to adequate healthcare facilities.

"Premature births are an enormous global problem that is exacting a huge toll emotionally, physically and financially on families, medical systems and economies," March of Dimes President Jennifer Howse said in a statement.

Yet, whereas the rates of babies born too early are highest in Africa and Asia, North America is not too far behind. "In the United States alone, the annual cost of caring for preterm babies and their associated health problems tops US$26 billion," Howse added.

This is a deep concern for the US. Although North America - consisting of the United States and Canada in this report - counts fewer than 500,000 premature births a year, its preterm birth rate is close to that of Africa, at 10.6 percent of all births, according to the report. The rate is the world's second highest.

In the United States, the rate of preterm births has increased 36 percent in the past 25 years, with births between the 34th and 36th week of gestation accounting for the majority of the increase, the organization found. Much of the increase in preterm births is linked to more pregnancies after the age of 35 and the use of fertility treatments that can lead to multiple births. The report states that, "wherever trend data are available, rates of preterm birth are increasing."

Modern medicine can often mask the problem of premature births. The sophisticated neonatal intensive care facilities of places such as the US and Europe can lead to reports of "miracle" babies. But these reports fails to tell the story of the the lifelong problems including cerebral palsy, blindness and learning disabilities that often plague the survivors.

"Preterm birth is a global problem that needs greater attention by policymakers, researchers, healthcare providers, the media, donor organizations and other stakeholders," the report said.

"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," it added.

While doctors know some of the health and behavior factors that can increase the risk of early labour, up to now, scientists have not been able to account for all the triggers of preterm births, or how to stop pregnancy once it starts. However, it is hoped this new comprehensive study will be a step towards a greater understanding of the occurrence of premature births.

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