World Prematurity Day: India Has Maximum Preterm Births Globally, Say Experts. Know Prevalence And Survival Rate

The gestational age is one of the most important factors determining the survival rate of preterm babies. The shorter the gestational age, the less are the preterm baby’s chances of survival. 

India has the highest number of premature deliveries worldwide, accounting for about 22 per cent of all the premature deaths globally. While the incidence of premature babies varies each year, about 12 to 13 per cent of babies born in India are premature. 

World Prematurity Day: A baby born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy is completed is said to be preterm. When a baby is born after a gestation period of less than 28 weeks, they are said to be extremely preterm. A baby born after 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy is said to be very premature. A baby born after 32 to 37 weeks of gestational period is said to be moderate to late preterm.  Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are the regions where the majority of preterm births occur.  About 15