Infants born before the completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered to be premature.
According to a report released by the U.S. health charity group March of Dimes in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the preterm birth-deaths mainly the developing nations.
For instance, Africa and Asia account for more than 85 percent of all the premature births. But strangely, developed countries like North America have also registered an increase of 36 percent in premature births over the past 25 years.
According to the report, the rate of premature births is highest in Africa at 11.9 percent; it is a little lower in Asia at 9.1 percent. But in North America, the preterm birth rate is 10.6 percent, close to that of Africa.
Differing factors fuel premature births in rich and poor nations
Experts maintain that different factors account for premature births in developing and developed countries. Malnutrition, poor health care and ignorance among people can explain many of the premature births in developing countries.
On the other hand, factors like pregnancy beyond the age of 35, more usage of assisted reproduction techniques that lead to multiple births, methods to achieve pregnancy by artificial or partially artificial measures are the factors that account for premature births in developed countries.
"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 dollars annually," said Jennifer Howse, president, March of Dimes.
"If world leaders are serious about reaching the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health, then strategies and funding for reducing death and disability related to preterm birth must receive priority," Howse added.
Regular maternal check-ups could control premature deaths
The report said that doctors have yet to identify a reliable solution to prevent premature labor as it would require lot of research and expenditure. However, there are ways to improve the survival of premature babies, but most mothers are not aware of them.
The report says that intake of good nutrition, addressing risk factors in mothers -- including diabetes, high blood pressure, body weight and tobacco and alcohol use -- and regular maternal check-ups are among the strategies experts recommend to prevent premature births.
"While much can be done right now to reduce death and disability from preterm birth even in low-resource settings, we need to know more about the underlying causes of premature birth in order to develop effective prevention strategies," Howse said.
“With pretty simple solutions, these deaths could be halved, but it doesn’t seem to be a priority,” said Dr. Joy Lawn, a pediatrician and director of a non-profit organisation--Save the Children--based in South Africa.
The report is to be presented at the 4th International Conference on Birth Defects and Disabilities in the Developing World in New Delhi to be held this week.
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