Born Too Soon: Global epidemiology of preterm birth and drivers for change

作者：Ellen Bradley, Hannah Blencowe, Ann‐Beth Moller, Yemisrach B. Okwaraji, Francesca Sadler, Anna Gruending, Allisyn C. Moran, Jennifer Requejo, Eric O. Ohuma, Joy E Lawn · 发表于：Reproductive Health · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s12978-025-02033-x · 被引用次数：71 · 研究领域：Preterm Birth and Chorioamnionitis、Infant Development and Preterm Care、Neonatal Respiratory Health Research

PROGRESS: There has been no measurable change in global preterm birth rates in the past decade, in any region. A handful of countries have reduced their preterm birth rates, but only marginally (0.5 percentage points annually), and there has been little progress in availability of preterm birth data globally. An estimated 13.4 million (95% credible interval (CrI): [12.3, 15.2 million]) newborns were preterm or "born too soon" in 2020, 9.9% (95% CrI: [9.1, 11.2%]) of births worldwide. Preterm birth complications remained the top cause of under-5 child mortality globally in 2022, accounting for about 1 million neonatal deaths, similar to figures a decade ago. More encouragingly, some countries have improved data systems to better capture preterm birth information and advancements have been made in gestational age measurement, highlighting targeted efforts towards improving data for action. This paper is part of a series based on the report "Born too soon: decade of action on preterm birth". PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIES: Preventing preterm birth is a critical priority and could be accelerated by focusing on context-specific risk factors, and addressing spontaneous and provider-initiated preterm births, including non-medically indicated caesarean sections. Effective care can prevent 900 000 deaths from complications of preterm birth, particularly among those born before 32 weeks' gestation. Stillbirths should be included in data, policies and programmes relating to preterm birth. Most...