Preventing Preterm Birth

Abstract

Premature or preterm delivery of otherwise normal babies is a problem throughout the world, in both developed and developing countries. In the United States the incidence of preterm delivery has hovered around 7 to 9 percent for many years.^{1 , 2} Although various intervention programs have claimed success in reducing the number of preterm deliveries, the results have been difficult to reproduce or sustain.^{3 4 5 6} There is little question that preterm neonates (classified according to gestational age or birth weight below 1500 g) account for more than half, perhaps as much as three quarters, of the mortality and morbidity among newborns without congenital . . .