Epidemiology of preterm birth and neonatal outcome

Area of Science:

• Neonatalogy
• Public Health
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Prevalence of preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestation) is increasing globally, affecting 5-11% of infants in industrialized nations.
• Preterm births are a leading cause of neonatal mortality (70%) and morbidity (75%), leading to long-term neurodevelopmental, pulmonary, and ophthalmologic issues.
• Advances in neonatal care, like antenatal corticosteroids and surfactant therapy, have improved survival but not reduced preterm birth incidence, incurring substantial healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the increasing trend and severe consequences of preterm birth.
• To emphasize the need for research focused on preventing preterm births and mitigating long-term sequelae in survivors.
• To underscore the economic burden associated with caring for premature infants with complex health needs.

Main Methods:

• This abstract reviews existing data on preterm birth rates, mortality, morbidity, and associated healthcare costs.
• It synthesizes information on current interventions and their impact on survival versus prevention.
• It identifies key areas for future research based on current challenges and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Despite improved survival rates for extremely premature infants due to medical interventions, the incidence of preterm birth continues to rise.
• Current interventions primarily manage complications rather than prevent preterm birth itself.
• Significant societal and healthcare costs persist for the care of survivors with severe morbidities and developmental challenges.

Conclusions:

• Future research priorities should include elucidating the etiology and mechanisms of preterm birth.
• Focus is needed on developing strategies to reduce long-term health sequelae and developmental handicaps in preterm infants.
• A shift towards prevention and long-term outcome improvement is crucial for addressing the preterm birth crisis.