Late preterm birth: preventable prematurity?

Abstract

Prematurity is one of the leading causes of infant morbidity and mortality globally. Over the years, however, advances in medicine and technology have enhanced the ability to care for babies at very early gestations. There has also been a shift in the distribution of births away from term/post-term gestations and toward earlier gestational ages. These changes have added to the burden of premature births. The focus of this article is to present both sides of the story, one that highlights the many problems and morbidities faced by this subgroup of premature infants and the other that justifies their early delivery.