Introduction:
Premature birth is a very serious health problem and a leading cause of death among children younger than five years worldwide. Premature babies may have more health problems than babies born on time and may experience long-term health problems that affect the brain, lungs, hearing or vision. World Prematurity Day is observed on 17 November each year to raise awareness of the challenges and burden of preterm birth globally.
Goals:
- Raising awareness about premature birth and premature babies.
- Awareness of the importance of pregnancy follow-up, to avoid premature birth.
- Maintaining an ideal weight during pregnancy.
- Educating pregnant women to maintain the level of sugar in the blood and control the level of blood pressure.
Facts:
- Every year, an estimated 15 million infants are born preterm (before 37 completed weeks of gestation), and this number is increasing.
- Across 184 countries, the rate of preterm birth ranges from 5% to 18% of babies born.
- Premature babies need special care at a unit specialized in premature babies in the hospital.
- Premature birth and its complications are the leading cause of infant death worldwide.
- One in 10 babies is born too early worldwide.
Official Date:
Globally: November 17th, 2022
Locally: Rabiʽ al-Thani 23rd, 1444H
Slogan:
References:
- MOH, World Health Days 2021
- European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants