Every year on November 17th, World Prematurity Day spreads awareness about preterm birth and the concerns about premature births for their families.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15 million babies are born preterm. This means one in 10 babies is born too early. A baby is considered premature at less than 37 weeks gestation. The number of preterm babies continues to rise. The countries with the most preterm births include India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the United States. Premature births raise concerns because these babies face an increased chance of disability. Some of the most common disabilities and health issues include cerebral palsy, developmental delay, asthma, hearing loss, vision problems, intestinal problems, and recurrent infections.
The first international awareness day for preterm birth was created by European parent organizations in 2008. The organizations celebrated the first official World Prematurity Day on November 17th, 2011.
Source: www.unicef.org.
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