(HealthDay News) -- Preterm birth -- birth that occurs before 37 weeks' gestation -- potentially can lead to a lifetime of complications for the infant.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mentions these risk factors for preterm birth:
- Having a "multiples" pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc).
- Having a history of premature birth.
- Being of African-American heritage.
- Having problems with the cervix or uterus.
- Having a chronic health problem or a certain type of infection.
- Drinking alcohol, using drugs or smoking cigarettes during pregnancy.