Overview:
World Prematurity Day, on November 17, is a global event that aims to raise awareness of the challenges associated with premature births. The day encourages global cooperation to improve the care of premature babies and support their families.
Objectives:
- Raising awareness about preterm birth and premature babies.
- Educating pregnant women to maintain blood sugar levels and control blood pressure levels.
- Maintaining an ideal weight during pregnancy.
- Raising awareness of the importance of pregnancy follow-up to avoid premature birth.
Facts:
- Every year, an estimated 15 million babies are born prematurely (before 37 weeks of gestation).
- One in ten babies worldwide is born prematurely.
- Preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death among children under five, accounting for nearly 1 million deaths in 2015.
- Across countries, the rate of preterm birth 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 17, 2025.
Locally: Jumada Al-Awwal 26, 1447 AH.