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A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

Premature delivery and the millennium development goal

Nawal M Nour1

  • 1Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA.

Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology
|August 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Preterm birth affects 15 million babies annually, causing 1 million newborn deaths. Improving maternal health and prenatal care is crucial to reduce preterm delivery (PTD) rates and child mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Global health
  • Neonatal health
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • Preterm birth (PTD) affects 15 million newborns yearly, causing 1 million deaths and significant long-term disabilities.
  • PTD is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and the second leading cause of death in children under five.
  • A survival gap exists between high-income and low-resource nations, with over 90% mortality for infants born before 28 weeks in low-resource settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the global burden of preterm birth (PTD).
  • To identify risk factors associated with PTD.
  • To emphasize the need for improved maternal health and prenatal care to achieve global child mortality reduction goals.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a review of existing data on preterm birth (PTD) rates and outcomes.
  • Analysis of global statistics on neonatal mortality and survival rates based on gestational age and resource setting.
  • Identification and categorization of risk factors for PTD.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 15 million babies are born prematurely each year worldwide.
  • High-income nations have significantly higher survival rates for extremely preterm infants compared to low-resource nations.
  • Key risk factors for PTD include adolescent pregnancy, short birth intervals, maternal health conditions, and substance abuse.

Conclusions:

  • Reducing preterm birth (PTD) is essential for achieving global child mortality reduction targets (e.g., MDG-4).
  • Addressing risk factors and enhancing maternal health and prenatal care quality are critical interventions.
  • Closing the survival gap in preterm infants requires targeted global health initiatives.

Keywords:
Millennium Development GoalNeonatal deathPreterm birthPreterm deliveryPreventionWorld Health Organization

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