Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are regarded as premature, and those born before 28 weeks are said to be extremely pre-term. Between 15 and 25 percent (in private and public healthcare, respectively) of South African babies arrive early, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The reasons for this are largely unknown and difficult to predict, says Johannesburg gynaecologist Dr Monica Nkabinde.
WHAT CAUSES PRE-TERM BIRTH?
The likelihood