The world’s wealthiest nations could do more to prevent the problems linked to premature birth, experts say today.
Preventing pre-term birth by an average of five per cent in 39 high income countries would reduce the number of premature babies born by 58,000 every year, a panel of international experts says.
Reducing the numbers of pre-term births – babies born before 37 weeks’ gestation – could also have a significant economic impact, saving billions of dollars.
The research was co-ordinated by Dr Joy Lawn of Save the Children, and included experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Boston Consulting Group, March of Dimes, National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth, and the World Health Organisation.
They concluded that a combination of five proven interventions would lower the pre-term birth rate across 39 countries from an average 9.6 per cent of live births to 9.1 per cent, saving $3 US billion in health and economic costs.
These are: eliminating early Caesarean deliveries and inductions of labour unless they are medically necessary; reducing multiple embryo transfers during assisted reproductive procedures; helping women to stop smoking; providing progesterone supplements for women with high risk pregnancies; cervical cerclage (a surgical operation that can prevent a pre-term birth in some women) for high-risk women with short cervix.
Dr Hannah Chang, lead author from for The Boston Consulting Group, said: “Governments and health professionals in these 39 countries need to know that wider use of proven interventions can help more women have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. A five per cent reduction in the pre-term birth rate is an important first step.”
The study was carried out as a follow up to the May 2012 Born Too Soon report by the World Health Organisation, which set out simple, effective solutions to reduce deaths for pre-term babies in low income countries.
Pre-term birth is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive an early birth often face health problems such as breathing difficulties, cerebral palsy, motor and intellectual disabilities.
Dr Lawn said: “Our analysis shows that the current potential for pre-term birth prevention is shockingly small, yet 15 million babies are born too soon and this is the leading cause of newborn deaths, and the second leading cause of child deaths globally.
“In addition, the five identified interventions, such as changing smoking habits and Caesarean section practices, are not simple to implement.
“Our hope is that the proposed target of a five per cent relative reduction in pre-term births in high income countries will motivate immediate programme action. Research should also focus on pre-term birth causes and solutions in low income countries where preterm birth rates are highest and the underlying causes may be much simpler to address.”
The article in The Lancet is published to coincide with the second annual World Prematurity Day on November 17.
Leave a Reply