Today November 17th 2019 is World Prematurity Day a Day set aside to create awareness around issues of preterm births as well as the deaths and disabilities due to prematurity and profer solutions to it.


PREMATURITY FACTS

- Every year an estimated 15 million babies are born too soon these are babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed.

- That is more than 1 in 10 babies. Approximately around 1 million these babies die each year due to complications of preterm birth.

- Babies born very early, often have complicated medical problems. Typically, complications of prematurity vary. But the earlier your baby is born, the higher the risk of complications.

- Many survivors face a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems.

- Globally, prematurity is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5 years. and in almost all countries with reliable data, preterm birth rates are increasing.

- Inequalities in survival rates around the world are stark. In low-income settings, half of the babies born at or below 32 weeks (2 months early) die due to lack of feasible, cost-effective care, such as warmth, breastfeeding support, and basic care for infections and breathing difficulties.


CAUSES OF PRETERM BIRTH.
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Preterm birth occurs for a variety of reasons Common causes of preterm birth include multiple pregnancies, infections and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure; however, often no cause is identified.


Preterm babies are normally taken care of in Hospitals with NICU ( Neonatal Intensive Care Unit https://outreachgroup.com.ng/what-is-neonatal-intensive-care-unit-nicu/ ) placed on different machines and monitored round the clock by trained professionals like Neonatologist, Neonatal nurses, Consultant Pediatricians among others

Preterm birth takes away a lot from families in what is meant to be their love and source of joy.

Special thanks to all those who work round the clock to save the lives of preterm babies....For Every Baby Is Precious and Everyone of them deserves to live...

Are you a preterm mum? or a NICU Nurse or you know someone who have been through this? please share your experience below

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