Premature Birth More than ten percent of children born in the U.S. are premature, a figure that has been gradually increasing over the years. Prematurity creates many problems for the baby and the family and the costs to treat these babies are very high. The standard definition of prematurity is when a baby is born before the mother is 38 weeks pregnant. Taylor and Hoekstra said, “Consider those born too soon—before their time. Forty …showed first 75 words of 1633 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1633 total…and language skills. Some children may also have greater dental care needs, may have permanent grooves in the roofs of their mouths from ventilator tubes, or have unusually shaped teeth because of their prematurity. In conclusion, many things can affect the birth of a child in negative ways. As research on prevention gets better, and healthcare improves for the premature infant, we can hope for more happy endings for the premature baby and his family.