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Asked by catherinemaguire to Amy, Drew, Julia, Kimberley, Sara on 19 Jun 2011.
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Amy MacQueen answered on 17 Jun 2011:
Hello again catherine!
Nearly always the cause is never identified. But some recognised causes of premature birth include:
Foetal abnormality (there is something abnomal about the baby), multiple pregnancy (sometimes when there are twins or triplets they are born earlier), extremes of maternal age (i.e. age of your mum – whether really young or really old), serious infection or maternal urinary tract infection.
Most premature babies can survive these days because of the excellent care they receive in hospitals in the UK!
🙂
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Sara Imari Walker answered on 18 Jun 2011:
Hi Catherine!! Looks like Amy’s got the major causes covered. I agree that is very fortunate that modern science enables us to save most premature babies!
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Julia Griffen answered on 19 Jun 2011:
Hey Catherine… many things can cause it, but as amy says the cause is often not identified. It could also be caused to stress or external situation the the mother is experiening…
But there are excellent proffesionals out their that are prepped and ready to deal with premature babies. It’s still a concern but not as much as it used to be now science and medicine have improved.
Comments
cspooner commented on :
I was also told by my teacher in Biology today that the carbon monoxide in cigarettes can cause babies to be premature and small
Julia commented on :
Hey Cspooner…. that is a possible cause also.. because Carbon monoxide, CO reacts with oxygen in the mothers blood stream to form Carbon dioxide CO2.. he effect of this is that it reduces the amount of oxygen getting to the baby. Which is obviously is a bad thing for the baby and can result in premature birth!