Health Tip: Premature Birth

Babies born prematurely, before 37 weeks of pregnancy, are at increased risk of complications including respiratory problems, underdeveloped organs and tissues, heart disease, and delayed development.

To help reduce the risk of premature birth, it's important for expectant mothers to get proper preventive care.

Lack of prenatal care is a primary risk factor for premature birth. The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these additional factors:

* Smoking.
* Alcohol or drug use.
* Poor nutrition during pregnancy.
* Multiple-birth pregnancies.