Number of premature births could increase

With the adoption of the universal two-child policy, the number of older women becoming pregnant has risen significantly and will result in a rise in the number of premature births, according to an official with the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

Every year in China, about 1.2 million babies are born prematurely or within 37 weeks of conception, accounting for about 7 percent of annual births, according to Song Li, the commission's deputy head of maternal and infant healthcare.

"Early healthcare and intervention can save the lives of most premature babies," Song said. "China will promote nursing care techniques for premature babies and formulate a regulation on their healthcare to prevent and reduce death and disabilities."