Infants born before their 37th week of gestation face a greater risk of death or health and developmental challenges than infants born at term. Little is known about this public health problem, and the rate of preterm births is climbing steadily. PRETERM BIRTH: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, AND PREVENTION, a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, offers a research agenda to better understand how to predict and prevent such births.
Advance copies will be available to reporters only beginning at 3 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 12. THE REPORT IS EMBARGOED AND NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE BEFORE 9 A.M. EDT ON THURSDAY, JULY 13. Reporters can obtain a copy by contacting the National Academies' Office of News and Public Information at tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail news@nas.edu>.