World Prematurity Day 17 November 2023 - Importance, Theme & History

Prematurity is the broad category of newborns born before 37 weeks of gestation. The most significant cause of newborn mortality and the most prevalent reason for prenatal hospitalisation is preterm delivery. The three leading causes of death for premature newborns born with birth weights less than 1000 g are respiratory failure, infection, and congenital deformity.

Preterm birth can occur for a number of reasons. The majority of preterm births occur naturally. However, some are caused by medical reasons like infections or other pregnancy issues that necessitate early induction of labour or caesarean birth.

According to a new report launched by the United Nations agencies and partners, an estimated 1.34 crore babies were delivered prematurely in 2020, with roughly 10 lakhs dying as a result of preterm complications. It equates to approximately one in every ten newborns born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) worldwide.

According to the study, only one out of every ten extremely preterm newborns (28 weeks) survive in low-income nations, compared to more than nine out of ten in high-income countries. Even in high-income countries, disparities in race, ethnicity, poverty, and access to excellent care influence the likelihood of preterm birth, mortality, and disability.

Preterm birth has become the most prevalent cause of infant death, accounting for more than one-fifth of all deaths in children under the age of five. Preterm survival may endure long-term health repercussions, including a greater risk of disability and developmental delays. World Prematurity Day intends to create awareness and to work towards preventing preterm birth.

This year, 2023, the World Prematurity Day theme is "Small actions, BIG IMPACT: Immediate skin-to-skin care for every baby everywhere". The theme emphasises that skin-to-skin contact (Kangaroo care) benefits all infants, especially premature babies. Initiated right after birth, skin-to-skin contact contributes to the baby's awareness of touch and affection and plays a vital role in maintaining breastfeeding.

Year by year theme of World Prematurity Day

• World Prematurity Day 2022 theme: promotion of skin-to-skin contact
• World Prematurity Day 2021 theme: Zero Separation. Act now! Keep parents and babies born too soon together
• World Prematurity Day 2020 theme: World Prematurity Day 2020, Together for babies born too soon – Caring for the future
• World Prematurity Day 2019 theme: Born Too Soon: Providing the right care, at the right time, in the right place

In 2008, the World Prematurity Day was initiated by the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI) and partnered with European parent organisations to shed light on the risks and hardships caused by preterm births, to provide cost-effective and proven treatments and to spread compassion for families who have endured premature childbirth.