CEREBRAL PALSY NEWS
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"Premature Birth Rates on the Rise"
August 21, 2007
Medical experts report that the amount of premature births in America is steadily on the rise.
Although health care physicians and researchers know what makes women more likely to have healthy, full-term pregnancies, they aren't sure what is causing this increase in premature births.
A Growing Problem
Preterm births are when the pregnancy occurs before the mother has completed her 37 weeks, and in most cases, doctors are unsure as to why this happens.
In 2004, 12.5 percent of babies were born premature.
Of the infants that survive being born prematurely, many of them face short-term and lifelong consequences, from having breathing problems to living with cerebral palsy.
“Premature births remain a mystery mostly because a cascade of factors appear to be at work,” says physician Robert Gutierrez.
What Causes Premature Birth?
According to Gutierrez and other health experts, infections of the mother's genital and urinary tract and fetal membranes could play a role in giving birth prematurely.
“There are so many variables,” says Gutierrez, “one little thing may lead to another. And every socioeconomic class is affected, not just those without good access to healthcare.”
Researchers also say that women who have had previous premature births, have cervical abnormalities and are carrying more than one baby, are also at risk.
(Source: Visalia-Delta Times)
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