The worldwide incidence of preterm birth: a systematic review of maternal mortality and morbidity

Abstract

Objective To analyse preterm birth rates worldwide to assess the incidence of this public health problem, map the regional distribution of preterm births and gain insight into existing assessment strategies. Methods Data on preterm birth rates worldwide were extracted during a previous systematic review of published and unpublished data on maternal mortality and morbidity reported between 1997 and 2002. Those data were supplemented through a complementary search covering the period 2003-2007. Region-specific multiple regression models were used to estimate the preterm birth rates for countries with no data. Findings We estimated that in 2005, 12.9 million births, or 9.6% of all births worldwide, were preterm. Approximately 11 million (85%) of these preterm births were concentrated in Africa and Asia, while about 0.5 million occurred in each of Europe and North America (excluding Mexico) and 0.9 million in Latin America and the Caribbean. The highest rates of preterm birth were in Africa and North America (11.9% and 10.6% of all births, respectively), and the lowest were in Europe (6.2%). Conclusion Preterm birth is an important perinatal health problem across the globe. Developing countries, especially those in Africa and southern Asia, incur the highest burden in terms of absolute numbers, although a high rate is also observed in North America. A better understanding of the causes of preterm birth and improved estimates of the incidence of preterm birth at the country level are needed to improve access to effective obstetric and neonatal care.Une traduction en français de ce résumé figure à la fin de l'article. Al final del artículo se facilita una traducción al español. ‫املقالة.‬ ‫لهذه‬ ‫الكامل‬ ‫النص‬ ‫نهاية‬ ‫يف‬ ‫الخالصة‬ ‫لهذه‬ ‫العربية‬ ‫الرتجمة‬

Effect of fetal and child health on kidney development and long-term risk of hypertension and kidney disease

“…Prematurity occurs in 9.6% of live births ( Figure 2) and is associated with higher blood pressures, renal and cardiovascular disease in later life 12,39 . Nephron number correlates with gestational age in premature infants in whom nephrogenesis may continue for a period after birth, although glomeruli are large and abnormal and renal maturation appears accelerated 16,40 .…”

How many low birthweight babies in low- and middle-income countries are preterm?

“…56 In relation to gestational age distribution, regional estimates of the overall proportion of preterm births were recently published. 8 The prevalence and number of LBW babies born who have either IUGR or are preterm in developing countries have been recently estimated by scientists of different institutions as part of the Maternal and Child Nutrition Study Group. 10 They have estimated that more than two-thirds of LBW babies born in the developing world have IUGR, and the remaining one third is preterm.…”

The effects of intrauterine growth restriction and antenatal glucocorticoids on ovine fetal lung development

“…A bout 10% of North American women and 6% of European women give birth preterm, before 37-wk gestation (1). Women who are likely to give birth before 34 wk, whether spontaneously or iatrogenically, receive antenatal glucocorticoids (2).…”