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 .
March of Dimes : Nearly 10 percent of world 's births are premature . More than 85 percent of premature births are in developing parts of Africa , Asia . But North America has world 's second-highest premature birth rate . Doctors have yet to identify a reliable remedy to prevent early labor , group says .