An estimated 13.4 million babies were born premature in 2020, with nearly a million dying from pre-term complications, according to a new report released by United Nations agencies and partners yesterday.
According to Born too soon: Decade of action on preterm birth, the “silent emergency” that is claiming one million tiny lives born premature yearly requires concerted action to swiftly improve children’s health and survival.
Produced by a range of agencies, including United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organisation (WHO), with its Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), the report outlines a strategy to address the phenomenon.
Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have the highest rates of preterm birth, accounting for more than 65 per cent of global cases.
The report showed other factors are also making an impact, increasing risks for women and babies everywhere. For example, air pollution is estimated to contribute to six million preterm births every year.
PMNCH Executive Director, Helga Fogstad, said: “Progress is flatlining for maternal and newborn health, as well as prevention of stillbirths.”
Gains are now being pushed back further through devastating combination of COVID-19, climate change, expanding conflicts and rising living costs, she warned.
Fogstad continued: “By working together in partnership – governments, donors, private sector, civil society, parents and health professionals –can sound the alarm about this silent emergency.
“This means bringing preterm prevention and care efforts to forefront of national health and development efforts, building human capital by supporting families, societies and economies everywhere.”
The report found that preterm birth rates have not changed in any region globally in the past decade, with 152 million vulnerable babies born too soon from 2010 to 2020.
Preterm births occur earlier than 37 weeks of an expected 40-week full-term pregnancy.
The report included updated estimates from WHO and UNICEF, prepared with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, on prevalence of preterm births.
Director of Health at UNICEF, Steven Lauwerier, noted that every preterm death, created “a trail of loss and heartbreak, adding: “Despite the many advances the world has made in the past decade, we have made no progress in reducing the number of small babies born too soon or averting the risk of their death. The toll is devastating. It’s time we improve access to care for pregnant mothers and preterm infants, and ensure every child gets a healthy start and thrives in life.”
The report said preterm birth is now the leading cause of child deaths, accounting for more than one in five of all deaths of children occurring before their fifth birthday. Preterm survivors can face lifelong health consequences, with an increased likelihood of disability and developmental delays.
Director for Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing at WHO, Anshu Banerjee, submitted: “Ensuring quality care for these tiniest, most vulnerable babies and their families is absolutely imperative for improving child health and survival.
“Progress must also advance in prevention, which means every woman must be able to access quality health services before and during pregnancy to identify and manage risks.”
