1m premature deaths each year

There are more than one million deaths per year of premature babies, new figures have indicated.

White Paper, the Global and Regional Toll of Preterm Birth, revealed that the highest premature birth rate around the globe is in Africa.

There were around 13 million preterm babies born across the world in 2005, which is approximately ten per cent of all births.

Commenting on the research, Dr Jennifer L Howse, president of report co-editors the March of Dimes, said that the problem affects many aspects of society.

"Premature births are an enormous global problem that is exacting a huge toll emotionally, physically, and financially on families, medical systems and economies," she said.

"If world leaders are serious about reaching the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health, then strategies and funding for reducing death and disability related to preterm birth must receive priority."

Data from the World Health Organisation was used in the research.