Babies Born Just A Few Weeks Too Early At Risk Of Death

A report in the August 16, 2000 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association says that infants born 4 to 8 weeks early suffer a greater risk of dying at anytime during the first year of life than full-term babies.

According to the study, early births can result in serious neurological, visual and breathing problems with most of the deaths occurring in the first few days.

Mild pre-term births are those that occur between 34 and 36 weeks. In the U.S., mild pre-term babies were three times as likely to die as full-term infants. Canadian babies born at the same time were 4.5 times as likely to die.

Moderate pre-term births occur between 32 and 33 weeks. U.S. moderate pre-term babies were 6.6 times as likely to die as full-term babies and Canadian moderate preterm babies were 15 times as likely to die.

According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Michael Kramer of McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, "Inductions and cesarean sections at 32-36 weeks are not risk-free, and the risks need to be considered when clinical decisions are made."

By way of commentary, presuming that "the doctor knows best" and asserting "it won't cause any harm" can and often does lead to larger problems. If we respect the time it takes for all natural processes to occur, whether they be the development of our children or our inborn, natural healing processes, we'll all be healthier for it.