Is the Environment Associated With Preterm Birth?

Abstract

Prevention of premature birth is a major public health priority. The most recent US data indicate that the rate of premature birth increased in 2018 for a fourth consecutive year to 10%. Worldwide, an estimated 10.6% of births were premature in 2014, the most recent year for which data are available. bies born before 37 weeks' gestation are at a higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and respiratory and gastrointestinal impairments that may persist into adulthood. 2 A variety of individual risk factors for preterm birth have been identified, and substantial funding and carefully designed research efforts have been undertaken to modify these risk factors.

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