preterm birth rate news stories on Newser

10% of Babies Are Premature, Taxing World's Health System

M. Morris — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:29:02 CDT

Nearly 10% of babies born each year worldwide arrive prematurely, and the stress of caring for them "is exacting a huge toll emotionally, physically and financially on families, medical systems and economies," the March of Dimes said today. Some 13 million babies are preemies, and more than 1 million of...

C-Sections Propel Jump in Preemies

Katherine Thompson — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:56:44 CDT

The number of US babies born before reaching normal gestation jumped by a third from 1996 to 2004, the Los Angeles Times reports, with Cesarean sections accounting for much of the rise. With health risks and high costs associated with premature babies, the trend presents "a serious problem," the March...

Lifelong Issues Plague Preemies

Peter Fearon — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:48:29 CDT

More babies are surviving premature birth than ever before, but new research has found they suffer lifelong problems. Preemies face health challenges into adulthood and are less likely to graduate from high school or to have children of their own, reports USA Today. Those who do have children are more...