Oklahoma City, OK – The March of Dimes is joining with the Oklahoma Health Department and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center to reduce premature births in the state.
Officials say about one in seven Oklahoma babies are born prematurely compared to one in eight nationwide.
The agencies hope to encourage expectant mothers to get prenatal care early in their pregnancy.
Health officials say pre-term births are often due to alcohol, smoking, drug use, eating disorders, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases or exposure to chemicals or lead.
Age is also a factor for women 19 and younger or 35 and older.
Prematurity is the leading cause of death in the first month of life.