Access to quality care everywhere

An estimated 13.4 million babies are born preterm (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) in the world. At such a tender stage, the organs inside the baby are not fully developed. Unfortunately, premature birth is one of the leading causes of death in children under five.

Preterm survivors also face lifelong health consequences, with an increased likelihood of disability and developmental delays. While more than 80 percent of preterm births occur in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the problem is universal. About 75% of these deaths could be prevented if current interventions were used. Preventing deaths among babies born too soon is a major challenge for many countries.

Skin-to-skin contact has been proven to be extremely effective for every baby, especially for premature babies. Initiated right after birth, the practice of skin-to-skin contact contributes to the baby's awareness of touch and affection, playing a pivotal role in starting and sustaining breastfeeding. The practice of skin-to-skin contact with the mother is linked to the development of emotions and memory and also favors oxytocin secretion, a hormone favoring breast milk secretion, minimising the mother's postpartum bleeding, and, of course, enhancing the bonding between mother and child.

Recent studies have revealed that skin-to-skin contact can and should be initiated immediately after birth, even before the newborn is considered clinically stable. Such contact improves thermal regulation, prevents infection, stimulates breast milk production, and yields positive physiological, behavioral, psychosocial, and neurodevelopmental effects while reducing the risk of neonatal mortality by 40 percent.

World Prematurity Day, observed annually on November 17, is a global movement to raise awareness of premature birth. Celebrating this day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the challenges for women and babies associated with preterm birth and celebrates the lives of preterm infants. By observing World Prematurity Day, we can shed light on the importance of providing care and raising awareness about the devastating effects of premature birth on the baby, the parents, and the family of the baby. Through this day, awareness about creating better healthcare and treatment opportunities can be sought for preterm babies to improve the outcomes of medical care given to them for their growth.

World Prematurity Day is a crucial platform to raise awareness about preterm birth challenges and their consequences, promote early detection during pregnancy, advance medical treatments, empower parents, and reduce long-term impacts on children and their families.

The typical socks line and purple lightings have become symbols of World Prematurity Day. The purple color in the visual identity stands for sensitivity and exceptionality.

The writers are Assistant Professor of the Neonatology department at the Noakhali Medical College and Specialists in Health Service Management & Policy, respectively.