Campaign backing on premature births

May 1 2008

Chase MP Tony Wright has pledged his support for Action Medical Research's campaign for urgent action to tackle premature birth.

The Stand Up for Tiny Lives campaign calls upon the Government to take action and hold an inquiry into how to prevent premature birth.

Tony said: "Premature birth is the biggest single cause of death among under ones in England and Wales. Across the UK 50,000 babies are born too soon. It is important that more is done to understand why this happens and what can be done to prevent it."

The campaign is also supported by leading scientists and medical researchers, the NCT (formerly the National Childbirth Trust) and professional bodies, including the Neonatal Nurse Association and the British Association of Perinatal Medicine.

Professor David Field, president-elect of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, said: "We are currently unable to say which factors are most important in putting mums-to-be at risk of premature birth. This is seriously hampering our ability to develop good preventative strategies.

"We need to understand more about the process of how premature birth begins and develops. Medical research can help us in this area."

It is hoped that an inquiry will lead to the development of the first national research strategy for tackling premature birth.