South Dakota State Medical Association's Physician members


PUBLIC HEALTH & SCIENCE Fact Sheet on Prematurity

Almost 12 percent of babies in this country are born preterm. Babies born preterm are at risk for serious health problems, and those born very early are at risk for long-term disabilities and death. A baby may be delivered preterm after a doctor induces labor due to pregnancy complications or health problems in the mother. However, most preterm births are a result of preterm labor. Certain factors increase a woman's risk of delivering preterm including a previous preterm birth, expecting twins or other multiples, uterine or cervical abnormalities, obstectric complications, smoking, drinking alcohol, using illicit drugs, age under 18 or over 35, and maternal or fetal stress. Beginning late this year, the Healthy Babies Coalition is targeting prematurity through community programs, professional education, and mass media strategies. Click Here for more information about prematurity.