Journal of Neonatal Studies

Preterm infant is defined as baby born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. Common causes of preterm birth are due to multiple pregnancies, infections and chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure however, exact cause is not identified.

In 2012, preterm birth affected more than 450,000 babies that 1 of every 9 infants born in the United States. Preterm birth is the birth of an infant before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm-related causes of death together accounted for 35% of all infant deaths in 2010, more than any other single cause. Preterm birth is also a leading cause of long-term neurological disabilities in children. Preterm birth costs the U.S. health care system more than $26 billion in 2005.