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Ukraine Sees Rise in Premature Births Near Front Lines
United Nations data show preterm birth rates nearly doubled in some front-line regions as war stress and attacks strain maternity care.
- A growing share of births are premature in Ukraine, particularly in regions near front lines, where war-related stress affects pregnant mothers. In Kherson, the preterm birth rate nearly doubled from 5.4% in 2019 to 9.8% in 2025.
- Experts link the rise in premature births to prolonged psychological strain, which increases infection risks and complications during pregnancy. Dr. Andrew Weeks, a professor of international maternal healthcare at the University of Liverpool, noted that war conditions strain hospital resources.
- Inside the maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia, staff often remain with fragile newborns during frequent air raid alerts rather than risking transit to shelters. Dr. Nataliia Bohuslavska, head of the neonatal unit, continues to manage care despite constant threat from nearby Russian strikes.
- Managing oxygen levels and weight gain is critical for premature infants, as complications often persist long after leaving the unit. One infant born at 30 weeks weighed 700 grams, well below the 2,500-gram threshold for low birth weight classified by the World Health Organization.
- According to Isaac Hurskin, spokesperson for the U.N. Population Fund, these complications compound a broader demographic crisis, as Ukraine's fertility rate has dropped to roughly one child per woman over the past three years, far below the 2.1 replacement rate.
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As Ukraine fights off Russia’s invasion, some regions see a rise in premature births
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — When Marharyta Nekhoroshyva first saw her newborn son, she was gripped by fear. Born after just 26 weeks of pregnancy, he weighed only 940 grams (2 pounds) and wore diapers no larger than the palm of an adult hand. “The doctors told me that if he survived the first three days, everything would be OK,” she said, tears filling her eyes. “I don’t believe in God, but I was praying.” Now 9 months old, Mark is energetic an…
·Washington, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources28
Leaning Left11Leaning Right4Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution42% Left, 42% Center
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources lean Left, 42% of the sources are Center
42% Center
L 42%
C 42%
R 16%
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