Preterm birth study finds maternal biomarker test significantly reduces neonatal morbidities, improves neonatal outcomes

Preterm birth―defined as delivery before the 37th week of pregnancy—is one of the leading causes of infant deaths in the United States. Babies born prematurely are also at an increased risk of having serious health problems. Yet despite advancements in many areas of obstetrics, little progress has been made to reduce the number of preterm births or improve neonatal outcomes. For the third consecutive year, the March of Dimes Annual Report Card has given the United States a D+ for the country’s persistently high preterm birth rate.