March of Dimes : Nearly 90 percent of America 's births are premature . More than 85 percent of premature births are in developing parts of Africa , Asia . But , America has world 's second - highest premature birth rate . While doctors know some of the health and behavior factors in mothers that increase the risk of preterm births , doctors have yet to identify a reliable remedy to prevent early labor , said Christopher Howson , vice president for global programs of the March of Dimes . We have yet to identify a reliable way to prevent early labor , group says .
March of Dimes : Nearly 90 percent of America 's births are premature . More than 85 percent of premature births are in developing parts of Africa , Asia . But , America has world 's second - highest premature birth rate . We have yet to identify a reliable way to prevent early labor , group says .