Preterm birth is leading cause of deaths in children under 5 – Health Expert

In order to reduce deaths among children under five years, there is the need to tackle premature birth situation in the country, Co-Founder of Child Ghana, Sheila Santa Kportoe, has said.

Preterm birth is when a baby is born too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed.

In 2021, preterm birth affected about 1 of every 10 infants born in the United States. The prate rose 4% in 2021, from 10.1% in 2020 to 10.5% in 2021.

In Ghana, Ms Kportoe said, 50 per cent of children under five who die is as a result of preterm birth.

Speaking on the New Day show on TV3 with Roland Walker on Thursday November 17, a day set aside to mark Prematurity Day, she said this is a major problem that should be tackled.

“Premature birth is the leading cause of death in children under five years. For children that are born in our country, for those who die, 50 per cent of all those deaths is due to premature births.

“So this is a big problem. If you are interested in reducing death in children under five years then we should be addressing preterm birth issues.”

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