Introduction

Every year in the United States, about four million women give birth. While the majority of pregnancies result in a safe and happy outcome for mother and baby, a significant proportion of pregnancies are at risk for adverse outcomes. For example, one in nine babies is born prematurely before 37 weeks of gestation, and has an increased risk of morbidity and death compared with babies born at term. Those born before 32 weeks of gestation have a significantly increased risk of long-term morbidity and disability such as cerebral palsy.

Source: Seminars in Perinatology - May 5, 2016 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Uma M. Reddy, George R. Saade, Elizabeth A. Thom Source Type: research