Health Tip: Risk Factors for Premature Birth

(HealthDay News) -- Premature birth is defined as any baby born at fewer than 37 weeks' gestation.

Here's a list of potential triggers of early labor, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease.

• An infection.

• Insufficient prenatal care.

• An unhealthy diet.

• Preeclampsia, a condition occurring after the 20th week of pregnancy and characterized by high blood pressure and abnormal protein in the urine.

• Substance abuse.

• Becoming pregnant at age 17 or younger.