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Preterm birth

Feature: Preterm birth

Babies who are born far too soon are not completely ready for life outside the uterus (womb), and so they face quite a lot of risks. While sometimes there is no warning and a baby is born very suddenly, often there is at least a bit of time before the baby is actually born. That means there are some things that can be done then to help your baby have a better chance of survival once he or she is born.

Fact sheet

Research summaries

Preterm birth and very low birthweight: Do hospitals that treat more preterm babies provide them with better care?

Preterm babies seem to be more likely to survive if they are cared for in large neonatal units, but it is not clear why. more...

Preterm birth: Does it help the baby if the mother takes corticosteroids before the birth?

When a baby is at risk of being born too early, one course of antenatal corticosteroids can help the baby's lungs to develop more quickly. This reduces the risk of the baby dying or having serious complications. more...