Issues & FAQs

The Global Burden of Preterm Birth & Stillbirth

Globally, more newborns die each year from prematurity than from any other cause. Additionally, three million stillbirths occur each year. Many of these lives could be saved with existing interventions.

Action is urgently required to scale-up proven solutions, and to identify unknown causes and more cost-effective interventions.

Preterm Birth

Each year more than 13 million babies are born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. More than one million of these preterm newborns die every year and many other preterm newborns face serious short- and long-term health problems. Despite great medical advancements in caring for preterm newborns in high-income countries, little progress has been made to care for them in other settings. more

Stillbirth

A stillbirth refers to a fetal death occurring late in pregnancy. For international comparisons, stillbirths include late fetal deaths weighing more than 1000g or occurring after 28 weeks gestation. The majority occur in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and are strongly linked to maternal health. Most are rarely recorded or discussed in health policies—making them effectively invisible. more

Improving Maternal & Newborn Health

Preterm birth and stillbirth are inextricably linked with maternal, newborn and child health. These outcomes can be improved through an integrated approach and a continuum of care provided before, during and after pregnancy. Interventions aimed at reducing preterm births and stillbirths will accelerate efforts toward achieving the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to improve maternal health and reduce child mortality. more