As the world wants to know about preterm birth causes, consequences and prevention, researchers have found calcium buildup in the mother's womb to be responsible for premature birth. It is similar to the kind of stiffening of arteries in older people that results in kidney stones.

Any birth before the 37th week of gestation is considered as premature. Premature birth may because serious health hazard in the baby that may continue for the lifetime. At times, premature babies may even die. While doctors consider infection as a reason for premature birth, they have been clueless about other reasons for a health mother.

Preterm birth is not that rare in the United States. Among all babies born in 2004, 12.5% were premature. However, the past decade has seen the rate grow considerably. Statistics show the highest rate of preterm birth is among non-Hispanic African Americans. The lowest rate is among Pacific Islanders or Asians.

In the previous year, 17.8% African-American women had a preterm birth. The rate for white women was 11.5% and 10.5% for Asian and Pacific Islander women. According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the United States spent at least $26.2 billion in 2005 for premature birth.

The most recent study by Ohio researchers into the preterm birth causes, consequences and prevention reveals more details to counter the problem. It was found that every mother who gave birth to her baby prematurely had excessive calcium deposits that made amniotic sac rupture.

"We've shown that formation of these particles in amniotic fluid is unhealthy, and we need to keep it in check," CBS News quoted Dr. Irina Buhimschi of Nationwide Children's Hospital as saying.

According to Buhimschi, Nobody knows why calcified plaques are found placentas after birth, both full term and preterm. More research investigation is required. At the same time, there should be more epidemiologic and etiologic investigations to know further about preterm birth causes, consequences and prevention.