World Prematurity Awareness – what you need to know

Netcare Olivedale Hospital hosted their first celebration to honour World Prematurity Day. At the event, Dr Sharika Maharaj, a neonatologist at the hospital, shared a few facts which prompted further research by the Randburg Sun.

Below are combined fast facts stated by Dr Maharaj as well as sourced facts from: www.healthynewboennetwork.org

• World Prematurity Day has been celebrated on 17 November to raise awareness for babies born prematurely every year
• One in 10 babies have been born premature worldwide
• Of all under-five child deaths 47 per cent have happened during the first 28 days of life worldwide
• The goal worldwide has been set as a reduced mortality rate to 12 000 internationally by 2030
• Purple is the symbolic colour of World Prematurity Day. It represents sensitivity and individuality which are two of the characteristics of the pre-term baby
• ‘Born too soon: Providing the right care, at the right time, in the right place’, was the theme for World Prematurity Day this year
• The three sub-themes were: ‘Ensure high quality care for every baby everywhere’; ‘Nurturing care for the best start in life’ and ‘Empower women and adolescent girls to deciding for their health’
• It’s estimated that 33 per cent of fathers and 90 per cent of mothers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety due to premature births
• Parents of prematurely born babies have to be strong and resilient for themselves and the sake of their children
• Some 86 per cent of newborn deaths due to prematurity could be prevented if known solutions are reached.

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