According to a Danish study it was reported that there is an apparent increase in premature births. Statistics show that about a 22% increase is witnessed in preterm deliveries between 1995 and 2004. There was a significant increase among the low risk women aged 20 - 40. The study had also focussed on assisted conceptions, multiple births and elective deliveries. All these complications also showed an increase during this time and were associated with early births.

But the UK Doctors fear the worst and warned the society of the ill effects if the trend continues. According to Dr Andrew Shennan and Dr Susan Bewley of St Thomas' Hospital in London say that premature births though account for fewer than one in 10 births, they are the major cause of about 75% of neonatal deaths and most neonatal intensive care admissions.

The researchers say that extremes of maternal weight, smoking, ethnic origin and social class could eventually result in an increase of preterm babies. But they also say that the government should take steps to prevent general public smoking, teenage and middle age pregnancy, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and social inequalities.