Globally, each year, an estimated 13 million infants are born before 37 completed weeks of
gestation. Complications from these preterm births are the leading cause of neonatal
mortality. Preterm birth is directly responsible for an estimated one million neonatal deaths
annually and is also an important contributor to child and adult morbidities. Low-and middle-
income countries are disproportionately affected by preterm birth and carry a greater burden
of disease attributed to preterm birth. Causes of preterm birth are multifactorial, vary by …