2023-05-10 04:00:17
- According to the new study, only during 2020, 13.4 million births of premature babies were registered.
- Preterm birth rates have not changed in any region of the world over the past decade.
- It is estimated that only one in 10 extremely premature babies (<28 weeks) survive in developing countries, compared to more than nine in 10 in developed countries.
A new report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled the Current panorama regarding premature babies. What he mentions is that only in 2020 there were 13.4 million cases of premature birth worldwide, of which almost a million died from complications.
The work titled Born too soon: a decade of action on preterm birth It was carried out in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and PMNCH, the largest global alliance in favor of women, children and adolescents. According to the agencies, their objective is to sound the alarm about the silent emergency of preterm birth, the magnitude and severity of which have not been recognized for a long time, and which is impeding progress in improving the health and survival of children.
In general, the authors find that the Preterm birth rates have not changed in any region of the world in the last decadewith 152 million vulnerable babies born too soon between 2010 and 2020.
According to the authors, the Premature births are currently the leading cause of infant mortality, and account for one in five child deaths that occur before their fifth birthday. Survivors of preterm birth can suffer lifelong health consequences, with an increased likelihood of disability and developmental delays.
Survival gaps by region, income, and race
Starting from a study published in 2012, the new report includes updated data from the last decade, produced in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Thus, it offers a global vision of the prevalence of premature births and its profound impact on women, families, societies and economies.
The report notes that all too often, where babies are born determines whether they survive. In this sense, only one in 10 extremely preterm babies (<28 weeks) survive in low-income countries, compared with more than nine in 10 in high-income countries.
Huge inequalities related to race, ethnicity, income, and access to quality care determine the likelihood of preterm birth, death, and disability, even in high-income countries.
South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have the highest rates of preterm birth, and premature babies in these regions face the highest risk of mortality. Together, these two regions account for more than 65% of the world’s preterm births.
The report also highlights that the effects of conflict, climate change and environmental damage, COVID-19 and the rising cost of living are increasing the risks for women and babies everywhere. For example, it is estimated that air pollution contributes to six million premature births a year. In turn, almost one in 10 premature babies is born in the 10 most fragile countries affected by humanitarian crises.
Maternal health risks, such as teenage pregnancy and preeclampsia, a disorder characterized by high blood pressure, are closely associated with preterm births. The authors agree that this points to the need to ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services, including effective family planning, with high-quality care during pregnancy and at delivery.
Increased investment by States
On the eve of the International Conference on Maternal and Newborn Health, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, May 8-11, UN agencies call for the following steps to improve care for women and newborns and mitigate the risks of preterm births:
- Increase in investments: Mobilizing international and national resources to optimize maternal and newborn health, ensuring high-quality care is delivered when and where it is needed
- Expedited Application: Meeting national progress targets through implementation of established national policies for maternal and newborn care
- Intersectoral integration: Promote education throughout life; support economic investments and co-financing between sectors; strengthen climate adaptation responses; and advance in the coordination and resilience of emergency systems
- Locally Driven Innovation: Invest in innovation and research at the local level to improve the quality of care and equity in access
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