Causes of Preterm Birth, How to Prevent It, and New Ways to Help Babies

By: Toshani Kapoor

Introduction

Preterm Birth, also known as being born too early, affects millions of families. When a baby is born before 37 weeks, their body may not be fully developed, leading to health challenges at birth and later in life. In 2024, it was estimated that the number of premature births in the United States was around 380,000. This makes it one of the highest rates of premature births in the world. Families and doctors can help each other to make better outcomes for the mothers and the babies, simply by knowing more about preterm birth and the medical care available.

Image credit: Sandy Spring Pediatrics

Why Preterm Birth Is a Major Health Concern

Preterm birth is a significant global health issue that affects more than just the early days of a baby's life. According to the 2025 March of Dimes Report Card, the United States earned a D+ grade for preterm births for the fourth year in a row. This means that 1 in 10 babies in the United States are still being born too early.

Image Credit: March of Dimes

The report also revealed major differences across states and cities. Nearly half of all states received a D or F grade. To top that off, 21 states saw their pre-term birth rates worsen over the past year. While some areas, like New Hampshire, earned an A-, many large cities reported preterm birth rates as high as 16.6%. Preterm births also vary by race and ethnicity. According to the March of Dimes Report Card, African American infants experienced the highest rate of preterm birth at 14.7%.

Causes of Preterm Birth

According to Mayo Clinic, the exact cause of premature birth is unclear, but certain factors can increase the risk. Health problems in the mother, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, infections, or issues with the uterus, cervix, or placenta, often cause a baby to be born early. Also, lifestyle patterns affect a baby's birth weight. Patterns such as smoking, drinking alcohol, using drugs, or facing extreme amounts of stress also play a role in preterm birth. Another key factor that plays a role in preterm birth is past pregnancies. If a woman has had a previous premature birth, multiple miscarriages, or pregnancies close together, the baby is more likely to be delivered prematurely. Carrying more than one baby also increases the chance of preterm birth. Other factors like age and race also play a vital role in preterm births. Women over 35 and teen moms are at higher risk of a preterm birth. According to Tommy’s Nemours, Black women in the United States are more likely to have a premature baby than women of other races. To sum it up, premature birth occurs due to a mix of medical issues, pregnancy complications, lifestyle factors, and, in some cases, things nobody can control. Even though doctors cannot always prevent it, understanding the risks helps women take the steps necessary to give their children the best start possible in life.

How to Prevent Preterm Birth

There are some steps women take to help lower the risk of giving birth early. According to the Mayo Clinic, getting regular prenatal care is extremely important because it allows doctors to spot and manage health issues before they cause complications. Eating a balanced and healthy diet, taking prenatal vitamins, and maintaining a healthy weight can all support a full-term pregnancy. Avoiding smoking, alcohol, and drugs and managing stress also reduces the risk. According to Mayo Clinic, women who have a higher chance of preterm birth, doctors recommend treatments like progesterone supplements or a cervical stitch to help keep the pregnancy going. Staying active with safe exercises and getting enough sleep also supports having a healthy pregnancy. Women should talk openly with their healthcare providers about any possible concerns, medications, or previous pregnancy complications.  While not all premature births can be prevented, these steps can give babies a better chance of being full-term and born healthy.  

Image Credit: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic

New Ways to Help Babies

Researchers are discovering new ways to help premature babies. According to the Cleveland Clinic, its researchers are developing new tools to make NICU care safer and easier for both babies and staff. They have developed AI-powered cameras that can quickly check babies' eyes for retinopathy of prematurity without causing stress or discomfort. They are also improving breathing support with better CPAP devices that monitor airflow and pressure, so doctors can catch problems sooner. Other innovations include feeding tubes that monitor vital signs without additional sensors, and smarter sensors that detect intestinal issues early. At Stanford Medicine, researchers are also using AI to improve care for preemies. They have developed algorithms that can recommend precise IV nutrition for premature babies. This helps doctors safely and quickly provide the right nutrients. This helps reduce medical errors and ensures that babies receive exactly what they need to grow and develop. These advances from the Cleveland Clinic and Stanford are making NICUs safer and more effective, giving premature babies a better chance at a healthy start in life. 

Conclusion

Overall, preterm birth is challenging and frightening for families, but knowing the risks and taking care during pregnancy helps give babies a better start. Regular checkups, healthy habits, and treatments help a lot. On top of that, new technology and research at locations such as the Cleveland Clinic and Stanford Medicine are changing the way doctors care for premature babies. From safer breathing support to better, personalized nutrition, these advances mean babies born prematurely now have a much better chance of growing up healthy. With the right care, support, and innovations, families and doctors can give every baby the best possible start in life.