April 24, 2008

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Premature Birth

(HealthDay News) -- Premature birth is defined as any baby born at fewer than 37 weeks' gestation.

Here's a list of potential triggers of early labor, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease.
• An infection.
• Insufficient prenatal care.
• An unhealthy diet.
• Preeclampsia, a condition occurring after the 20th week of pregnancy and characterized by high blood pressure and abnormal protein in the urine.
• Substance abuse.
• Becoming pregnant at age 17 or younger.

-- Diana Kohnle

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