Health: Childbirth

House of Lords written question – answered at on 29 October 2007.

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Photo of Lord Alton of Liverpool Lord Alton of Liverpool Crossbench

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the current levels of pre-term births in the United Kingdom; how these levels compare with the numbers for each of the past 40 years; and what assessment they are making of worldwide studies into the causes of pre-term births.

Photo of Lord Darzi of Denham Lord Darzi of Denham Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Health, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health)

In 2005-06, 7 per cent of deliveries were pre-term, ie occurred before 37 completed weeks of gestation. The majority of pre-term deliveries occurred after at least 32 weeks of gestation but 0.9 per cent of all deliveries were reported as occurring between 28 and 31 weeks and 0.4 per cent before 28 weeks of gestation. This pattern has remained stable since 1994-95. These data were not available before 1994-95.

As part of the implementation plan to reduce health inequalities in infant mortality, we are commissioning a series of systematic reviews of the research evidence to identify and promote key interventions to reduce health inequalities in infant mortality. Deaths due to immaturity-related conditions are one of the most common causes of infant mortality and the reviews will help to improve our understanding of the risk factors associated with pre-term births and survival.

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