The complications of preterm birth have killed more babies and young children than anything else.We've gotten some infectious diseases,diarrheal illnesses, malnutrition-those have been going down,so we're making good gains there.But preterm birth has not been going down in many countries. It's been increasing.Worldwide, 15 million children are born prematurely each year.One million of them die,but others suffer lifelong disabilities...blindness, cerebral palsy, reduced intellectual ability and more.Sixty percent of preterm births occur in Africa and South Asia.And although the rate of preterm births in the U.S. has dropped to 11.5 percent,it's still the highest rate of preterm births in any industrialized country.Scientists at Stanford University found a difference in the bacteria in women's vaginas that may be critical in the understanding of prematurity.At Stanford they found that women who delivered preterm had a different community of microorganisms than women who delivered at term.Another study shows women have healthier babies at least a year and a half.A woman's body requires about 18 months to recover between pregnancies.Less than 18 months between births increases the risk of prematurity.Other ways to reduce that risk including aoviding smoking.Getting good prenatal care, nutrition and exercise.
