Having fewer older women giving birth could help explain why P.E.I. has one of the lowest rates of premature births in the country, says the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

A CIHI report released Thursday noted that of the 1,300 to 1,400 babies born on P.E.I. every year about seven per cent are born prematurely, compared to 8.1 per cent nationally.

Jacinth Tracey, an analytical manager with CIHI, said premature delivery can lead to a range of health problems.

"There's a higher risk of mortality and they also tend to be born with more complications," said Tracey. "Things like respiratory distress, cerebral palsy, and long-term complications like hypertension and cardiovascular disease."

P.E.I. ties with New Brunswick for the lowest rate of premature births in the country. While still lowest in the country, the rate on P.E.I. is rising rapidly. In the early 1990s, the rate was 3.7 per cent, compared to 6.6 per cent nationally.

Tracey said older moms have a higher risk of giving birth prematurely, which might help to explain the Island's low rate.

"In Canada, in 2006-2007, 18 per cent of all births occurred in women who were 35 years and older, but in P.E.I. only 15 per cent of moms were 35 and older," she said.

Fewer diabetic mothers

There are other factors that cause mothers to deliver early, such as diabetes. P.E.I. fares well on that statistic as well. Nationally, five per cent of premature babies were born to diabetic mothers, while on P.E.I. the rate was half that.

Apart from the health benefits, the lower rate of premature births saves on hospital costs. Premature babies have lower birth weights. On average, caring for babies weighing under 5.5 pounds cost about $12,000 at the hospital, compared to $1,000 for babies above that weight.