International Day of Premature Children (17/11)

On November 17, the world celebrates International Prematurity Day. It was established in 2009 at the initiative of the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI).

Every year on the planet, about 15 million children are born premature, in other words, on average, every 10th child born. More than one million of these children die soon after birth, and many suffer from various types of physical and neurological disabilities or experience learning problems. According to statistics, premature birth is the cause of almost half of all deaths of newborn children in the world.

Moreover, in recent years there has been a steady increase in the birth of children prematurely. As you know, all newborns are vulnerable, but prematurely born — especially, and the problem of premature birth remains one of the problems underestimated by society. Doctors are trying to draw attention to this problem, including in Russia, where the number of premature babies born with very low and extremely low body weight is also growing.

It is worth noting that the increase in the number of premature births is due to several factors. First of all, this is the later age of women giving birth, the widespread use of infertility medications, unreasonable premature stimulation of childbirth and cesarean section, etc. Nursing children who have received life as a result of such childbirth requires the most high-tech intensive care. But not only…

After all, the birth of a premature baby — is also a serious stress for parents who need not only high-quality treatment for their babies and financial support, but also psychological help. The knowledge that prematurity — is not a death sentence, and that a huge number of premature newborns have grown up not only healthy and full-fledged, but also outstanding people, is very important.

The idea of establishing Premature Children's Day attracted the opportunity to publicly and widely state the existing problem in society, the need to solve pressing problems faced by doctors and families with premature babies, and help them find support and understanding. After all, prematurity — is a problem that families and society face regardless of well-being and level of development.

The first celebration of International Day of Premature Children took place in 2009. — on this day in Vienna on St. Michael's Square, university clinic professors Arnold Pollack and Angelika Berger simultaneously launched 500 white — balls into the sky, corresponding to the number of premature babies born in Vienna within a year. In 2010, this day was widely celebrated in 12 European countries.

Today, Premature Children's Day is becoming a popular annual event in many countries. Among the events dedicated to the Day are — television programs and interviews, charity concerts and receptions, publications in the press and the Internet, various events and events organized by both authorities and health care, as well as public organizations. The main thing is that the purpose of all these activities is one — informing society about the dangers and consequences of premature birth, as well as about prevention and the need to maintain the full term of pregnancy.

It is important that recently in Russia the state has also paid attention to this problem. Medical and economic issues of caring for premature babies are being successfully resolved within the framework of the Priority National Project «Health». More than 20 perinatal centers have already been opened in different regions of the country, which provide all the necessary assistance to women in bearing a child, and then care for children weighing over 500 grams. The mortality rate of premature babies decreased by 3-4 times, and the survival rate of deeply premature babies — weighing up to 1 kilogram increased significantly.

It should be noted that many outstanding people were born premature, but later became world-famous geniuses, among them — Napoleon Bonaparte, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and others.



Postcard «November 17 — International Day of Premature Children»

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