Late Preterm Births Present Serious Risks To Newborns.

ScienceDaily (Dec. 16, 2008) — More than half a million babies are born preterm in the United States each year, and preterm births are on the rise. Late preterm births, or births that occur between 34 and 36 weeks (approximately 4 to 6 weeks before the mother’s due date), account for more than 70% of preterm births. A new study and an accompanying editorial in The Journal of Pediatrics investigate the serious neurological problems associated with late preterm births. Much of the preterm birth increase maybe due to elective caesarian intervention and twin births due to use of fertility drugs.[ Petrini et al. Increased Risk of Adverse Neurological Development for Late Preterm Infants. The Journal of Pediatrics,]