Global burden of prematurity

Margo S Harrison; Robert L Goldenberg

doi:10.1016/j.siny.2015.12.007

Global burden of prematurity

Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016 Apr;21(2):74-9. doi: 10.1016/j.siny.2015.12.007. Epub 2015 Dec 28.

Authors

Margo S Harrison¹, Robert L Goldenberg²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
² Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: rlg88@cumc.columbia.edu.

PMID: 26740166
DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2015.12.007

Abstract

The global burden of preterm birth (PTB) includes the morbidity and mortality of babies born before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Prematurity has been the leading worldwide cause of neonatal mortality for at least a decade, but has now also become the leading cause of childhood mortality through age five years. Globally, each year, 15 million babies are born preterm, which is estimated to be about 11% of all deliveries. Preterm birth appears to be increasing in most countries. This review will address the epidemiology, rates, and etiology of PTB around the globe as well as survival by gestational age and interventions and preventative measures known to improve outcomes in high-burden countries.

Keywords: Childhood mortality; Neonatal morbidity; Neonatal mortality; Prematurity; Preterm birth; Preterm delivery.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cost of Illness
Female
Global Burden of Disease
Global Health*
Health Care Costs
Health Status Disparities
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature, Diseases / economics
Infant, Premature, Diseases / epidemiology*
Infant, Premature, Diseases / prevention & control
Infant, Premature, Diseases / therapy
Male
Perinatal Mortality
Pregnancy
Premature Birth / economics
Premature Birth / epidemiology*
Premature Birth / prevention & control
Premature Birth / therapy