Premature or preterm birth is defined as any birth before 37 weeks completed weeks of gestation or fewer than 259 days since the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period. There are sub-categories of preterm birth, based on gestational age: (i) Extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks), (ii) Very preterm (28 to 32 weeks), (iii) Moderate to late preterm (32 to 37 weeks) (1).
The causes of preterm birth are complex but certain maternal, foetal and placental factors such as haemorrhage, uterine overdistension, cervical incompetence, infection, inflammation, etc. have a predisposition for contributing to preterm births (2).
Preterm birth is a serious health and social problem as it is considered the leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide. It is associated with higher rates of neurodevelopmental morbidity, sensorineural impairments and other complications of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and renal systems (3).
In India, out of 27 million babies born every year (2010 data), 3.5 million babies born are premature (4). Globally around 15 million babies are born preterm every year. Approximately 1 million children die each year due to complications of preterm birth. Many survivors face a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems (1).
Complications and deaths due to preterm birth can be prevented with a healthy pregnancy. Some of the ways to ensure healthy pregnancy include optimal nutrition, antenatal check-ups, essential care during childbirth, antenatal steroid injections and postnatal care like kangaroo mother care (the baby is carried by the mother with skin-to-skin contact and frequent breastfeeding), and basic care for infections and breathing difficulties (4). Identification and management of risk factors and before, during and after pregnancy will significantly reduce the number of preterm births.