Please visit our Telegram page (https://t.me/joinchat/E_8szNmhxWTok-1m) and our journal, newborn​. We also work closely with various collaborating organizations, the Rotary Club, the Calmed Rotary, the Rotary action group for Reproductive, Maternal, and Child Health (RMCH), and its technical expert and networking advisory group (TENA).

 

November 17 is marked as World Prematurity Day. Started in 2008 as ‘International Prematurity Awareness Day’ in Rome, organised by the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants, it was renamed as ‘World Prematurity Day’ in 2011. On this day, we advocate for preterm infants and raising awareness about the impacts of preterm birth on children, their families, and society. We need to reflect on progress, ongoing challenges, as well as future directions. 

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The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the UNFPA, and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health published the report ‘Born Too Soon: Decade of Action on Preterm Birth'.The report provides an overview on the global burden, its impact, as well as progress that has been made. About 150 million preterm babies born in the last decade, which is nearly 1 in every 10 births was preterm (<37 weeks' gestation). These rates have remained unchanged in recent past and complications from preterm birth represent the leading cause of death for newborns and <5 years' children, and that of lifelong disabilities among those who survive.

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December 3 is recognized as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Premature babies are at a higher risk of developing disabilities. About a third born at or below 24 weeks may develop major disabilities. Neurodevelopmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, cognitive disabilities, vision and hearing impairments, and learning disabilities are known. These infants may also show poor growth, problems with communication, and social development. The risk of developing a disability increases with the degree of prematurity and the severity of peri-/postnatal illness.