2023-05-13 22:05:51
152 million babies born prematurely in the last decade
- Out of 10 babies born, 1 is premature – and every 40 seconds, 1 of those babies dies.
- Preterm birth rates have not changed over the past decade in any region of the world.
- The impacts of conflict, climate change and COVID-19 are increasing the risks for women and babies everywhere.
- There is an urgent need to act to improve the prevention of premature births, as well as the care provided to the babies concerned and their families.
GENEVA/NEW YORK/CAPE TOWN, 10 May 2023 – According to a new report released today by United Nations agencies and their partners, an estimated 13.4 million babies were born preterm in 2020, and nearly 1 million of them died from complications related to premature delivery. This equates to approximately 1 in 10 babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) worldwide.
Arrived Very Early: Decade of Action on Premature Birthproduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with PMNCH, the world’s largest alliance for the well-being and health of women, children and teenagers, sound the alarm on “Silent Emergency” premature births, the extent and severity of which have long been overlooked and which hamper progress in child health and survival.
The report contains updated WHO and UNICEF estimates, prepared with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, of the prevalence of preterm birth. Overall, it finds that preterm birth rates have not changed in any region of the world over the past decade, and that 152 million vulnerable babies were born too early between 2010 and 2020.
Premature births are the leading cause of infant mortality today, accounting for more than one in five child deaths occurring before their fifth birthday. Survivors of prematurity may face lifelong health consequences, with an increased likelihood of disability and developmental delay.
Gaps by region, by income, by race
Relying on a benchmark report on the subject, published in 2012, this new ten-year report Arrived very earlyin English Born too soon, provides an overview of the prevalence of preterm birth and its profound impact on women, families, societies and economies.
Too often, where babies are born determines their survival. The report notes that only one in ten extremely premature babies (<28 weeks) survives in low-income countries, compared to more than nine in ten in high-income countries. Stark inequalities related to race, ethnicity, income and access to quality care determine the likelihood of premature birth, death or disability, even in countries with high income.
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 preterm births worldwide. The report also highlights that the impacts 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, air pollution is estimated to contribute to 6 million premature births each year. Nearly one in ten premature babies are born in the ten most fragile countries affected by humanitarian crises, according to a new analysis in the report.
Maternal health risks, such as teenage pregnancy and pre-eclampsia, are closely linked to preterm births. This underscores the need to ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services, including effective family planning, with high quality care during pregnancy and childbirth.
Agenda for Action: More National Investments and Parent-led Activism
Over the past decade, community activism for the prevention of preterm births and stillbirths has also grown, led by networks of parents, health professionals, academics, civil society and other actors. Around the world, groups of families affected by preterm birth have been on the front lines advocating for access to better care and policy change, and supporting other families.
Ahead of the International Conference on Maternal and Newborn Health, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 8-11 May 2023, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and PMNCH call for action to improve the care of women and newborns and reduce the risks associated with preterm birth:
- Increase investments: Mobilize international and national resources to optimize maternal and newborn health, ensuring that high-quality care is provided when and where it is needed.
- Acceleration of implementation: Achieve national goals for progress by implementing established national policies for maternal and newborn care.
- Cross-sectoral integration: Promote education throughout the life cycle; supporting smarter economic investments, with cross-sectoral co-financing; strengthen lifelong climate adaptation measures; and improving the coordination and resilience of emergency systems.
- Innovation locale : Invest in local innovation and research to improve quality of care and equal access.
Citations
Prof. Joy Lawn, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Co-lead of the report Coming Very Early: Decade of Action on Premature Births (2023) and Coming Very Early: (2012)
“This new report shows that the cost of inaction over the past decade has been 152 million babies born too early. Although some regions are more affected, premature births threaten health progress in all countries. Greater investment in caring for vulnerable newborns can save millions of families from heartbreak. Further efforts are also needed to prevent premature births, which will also reduce the number of stillbirths and maternal deaths. Together, these two pathways to preventing and treating prematurity will produce healthier individuals and societies, which in turn will promote economic and social development. Our next generation depends on our ability to act now. The investment may not be negligible, but the benefits of this investment will be considerable for all countries. »
Dr Nahya Salim, Tanzania: Co-author of the Early Arrives report, Country Manager of Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies 360 (NEST360)
“There is no more excuse for silence. We now have in our hands the devices and the knowledge necessary to change the situation of the most vulnerable newborns. I am proud to see my government investing and committing to implementation, even in rural areas. The next decade can and should be different for those facing premature births here and everywhere. »
Dr Anshu Banerjee, Director, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Aging at WHO
“Ensuring quality care for these smallest and most vulnerable babies, and their families, is absolutely imperative to improving child health and survival. Progress is also needed to help prevent preterm birth – this means that every woman must be able to access quality health services before and during pregnancy to identify and manage risks. »
Professor Bo Jacobsson, Director of the Maternal and Newborn Health Division of FIGO
“Inequalities in the coverage and quality of health services for women around the world are hampering progress towards preventing preterm births and stillbirths. Health professionals have a key role to play in multi-stakeholder efforts to develop proven tools and resources to prevent preterm birth, and to ensure that women and families receive care. high quality, respectful and person centered. »
Steven Lauwerier, Director of Health (acting), UNICEF
“Each premature death is followed by a procession of loss and heartbreak. Despite the many advances made around the world over the past decade, we have not succeeded in reducing the number of babies born too early or avoiding the risk of their death. The record is overwhelming. It’s time to improve access to care for pregnant women and premature babies and to ensure that every child has a good start and thrives in life. »
Helga Fogstad, Directrice Executive, PMNCH
” The report ” Happened very early” highlights the need for increased investment and accountability for preterm birth, the number one killer of children under five globally. Progress in maternal and newborn health, as well as the prevention of stillbirths, is stagnating and still being delayed by the devastating combination of COVID-19, climate change, spreading conflict and increasing of the cost of living. »
“Working together in partnership – governments, donors, the private sector, civil society, parents and health professionals – we can sound the alarm on this ‘silent emergency’ and ensure that prevention and response efforts care of preterm babies are at the forefront of national health and development efforts, strengthening human capital by supporting families, societies and economies everywhere. »
Gabriela and Jerome Foster, Las Vegas, USA: parents of Jalen Foster and founders of the Jalen’s Gift Foundation
“Our foundation was created following the loss of our son, Jalen Foster, who was born prematurely stillborn at 27 weeks due to the prenatal appearance of a bacteria known as group B strep. The loss of our son has was devastating, and there was no support in the community. It was then that we decided to offer a place of comfort and hope to families who have lost a baby. We didn’t want other families to feel like us, that is, alone. So we created the Jalen’s Gift Foundation to help families affected by the loss of a child and provide them with many free services, such as photographs, bereavement support and help with memorial ceremonies. »
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