Premature Births Around the World On the Rise

11 October 2009 13:04 - keyifliblog - fav | Tags: africa , baby , born , health , premature , world

The first attempt to calculate the number of premature births around the world has produced some startling results, and many experts feel that the true numbers are much higher. Approximately 13 million infants worldwide are born premature. That translates to approximately 1 in 10 of the babies worldwide is born prematurely. One million of these infants will die as a result of being born prematurely.

The recent report released by the March of Dimes indicates that the majority of the premature births occur in Asia and Africa, however, they are closely followed by North America. This initial report is a collaborative effort with the World Health Organization, and they are expecting the numbers will only rise when the WHO completes a more in-depth study next year that will reflect country-by-country numbers.

The following are among the factors that could increase the risk of premature birth:

Lacking the proper prenatal care to make sure that the expectant mother is getting the proper nutrition and care for such conditions as high blood pressure, diabetes and infections
Drinking alcohol, using drugs, or smoking cigarettes
Carrying multiple babies
Elective inductions and cesarean sections within nations that are wealthy