Overview:
Premature birth is a very serious health problem and is the leading cause of death among children under five worldwide. Premature babies may have more health problems than babies born at term and may face long-term health problems affecting the brain, lungs, hearing or vision. World Prematurity Day is celebrated annually on November 17 to raise awareness of the challenges and burden of preterm birth worldwide.
Objectives:
- Raise awareness about preterm birth and premature babies.
- Educate pregnant women to maintain blood sugar levels and control blood pressure levels.
- Maintain an ideal weight during pregnancy.
- Raise awareness of the importance of pregnancy follow-up to avoid premature birth.
Facts:
- An estimated 15 million babies are born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) each year.
- Preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death among children under five, accounting for nearly 1 million deaths in 2015.
- Across countries, the preterm birth rate ranges from 5% to 18% of babies born.
- Three-quarters of these deaths could be prevented with current cost-effective interventions.
Official Date:
Globally: November 17th, 2024
Locally: Jumada Al-Awwal15th,1446H