Germany has one of the highest premature birth rates in Europe

More and more children in Germany are born too soon

More and more children are born too early in this country. The Federal Association "The premature baby" e.V. now stated that in 2016 alone in Germany 66,851 children were born before the 37th week of pregnancy. This corresponds to a so-called premature birth rate of 8.6 percent. This rate is one of the highest in Europe.

The experts of the Federal Association "The premature baby" report that more and more babies are born in Germany than premature births. The Foundation for Child Health also reports more than 60,000 premature births each year on the occasion of World Prematurity Day. In international comparison, Germany is frighteningly ahead with these numbers.

A so-called premature birth can lead to serious health complications for the affected child. Unfortunately premature births in Germany continue to increase. (Image: GordonGrand / fotolia.com)

There were more than 65,000 premature births in Germany in 2016

In 2016, a total of 66,851 children were born in Germany before the 37th week of pregnancy and about 11,000 of these premature births were born even before the 32nd week of pregnancy, reports the Federal Association "The premature baby". This raises the question of which reasons are responsible for these many premature births.

More than 80 percent of very small premature babies survive

Fortunately, the likelihood of surviving premature birth has increased significantly in recent years thanks to neonatal intensive care. Although children today are less than 1,000 grams in weight, those affected survive more than 80 percent when treated in well-equipped perinatal centers, the experts report.

Which factors affect premature birth??

There are several risk factors that can be influenced, for example, by the expectant mother. These include known factors such as the consumption of alcohol and drugs or smoking during pregnancy. But overweight, a pregnancy in later age and previous premature births affect the risk of premature birth.

Other relatively unknown factors for premature birth

In addition, there are some risk factors that most people probably are not yet aware of. These include, for example:

• Infections in the mouth: Pregnant women suffering from inflammation of the gums and the tooth bed, thereby increases the risk of a possible premature birth fourfold.
• Mothers with a migrant background: If the expectant mother comes from a so-called crisis country, according to the results of the KiGGS child health study, the likelihood of premature birth is increased. This risk also remains if affected women have been living in Germany for years.
• Assisted reproduction: In vitro fertilization (the insertion of more than one fertilized egg in the uterus) increases the risk of multiple pregnancies. In addition, such an intervention also increases the likelihood of prematurity by 40 to 60 percent.
• Infections: Urinary tract infections increase the risk of premature birth. If such an infection is detected early and treatment is rapid, it can reduce the risk of premature birth by 40 percent.

Effects of a premature birth on the affected child

Preterm delivery may cause motor and cognitive impairment and behavioral problems in the affected children. A study from 2004 showed that premature infants were more likely to have health problems at follow-up visits at the age of five. 14.1 percent of the children examined were mentally handicapped. 17.4 percent of those affected suffered from a physical disability, according to the experts of the Federal Association "The premature baby". Another 33.1 percent of the children examined also had various behavioral problems. In addition, linguistic abnormalities were observed in 40.4 percent.

Regular examinations are necessary

If premature babies are very small, they should be examined regularly by development experts until their school entry. Such medical monitoring should be performed primarily on children with a birth weight of less than 1,500 grams. If necessary, therapy can be initiated as soon as possible.

Signs of conspicuous behavior can be detected early

Many children are only promoted therapeutically if they show a conspicuous behavior. Such behavior often occurs in everyday school life and includes, for example, deficient benefits of the affected children. However, there are usually signs of limitations or abnormalities that could have been detected much earlier.

Many premature infants grow up to become completely healthy people

Fortunately, most premature babies grow into healthy young people throughout their lives. Most premature babies from the years 1987 to 2004 did not experience any quality of life differences at the age of nine, compared to children born at a normal time. Premature babies usually reach a similar final size as children born at the normal time. However, many of these early-born children still show recognizable growth deficits at the age of eight, but these are overcome in the course of life. (As)