Dubai: Each year, there are about 15 million babies around the world be born prematurely — or before 37 weeks of gestation each year.
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Out of that number, about 1 million do not survive, despite the advancement in medical care. Prematurity remains the leading cause of death in children under five years.
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The World Health Organisation (WHO), points to a study suggesting the number of premature babies is rising globally, although the reason is unclear.
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So premature babies are better known as ” the few and the brave, the small and mighty, the one in 10, the survivor.”
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What are the risk factors for premature birth?
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Multiple pregnancies, infections and chronic health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can all be factors, although clear cause is seldom identified, say experts.
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What is the survival rate?
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At least 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely, amounting to 15 million babies per year.
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About 1 million of these babies do not survive, according to Dr. Maria Theresa B. Reyes, Consultant Neonatologist at King’s College Hospital Dubai Hills.
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What challenges do parents face when they have pre-term infants?
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All infants born preterm require immediate and significant medical care posing unexpected challenges — emotional and financial — to their parents and family system.
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When is the World Prematurity Day (WPD)?
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In 2008, the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants and partnering European parent organisations have initiated World prematurity Day to be celebrated every 17th of November.
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It is a global movement to raise awareness on the impact of premature birth and the challenges faced by their families.
###Definitions of Levels of Hospital Care###
What is this year’s theme?
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This year’s theme focuses on providing the right care, at the right time, in the right place for all premature babies.
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Rightfully said, the availability of expertise and resources and being born, albeit too soon, in a place competent and confident to handle these fragile babies can lead to favourable outcomes with minimal morbidity and higher survival rates.
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Why is it important to look at Level 3 facility/hospital?
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Looking at intended hospitals of birth confirmed that babies born in a Level 3 facility had reduced mortality without an increase in neonatal morbidity, said experts.
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Large studies involving very low birth weight and extremely low birthweight babies less than 1000 grams demonstrated the same effect if born in Level 3 centres.
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The risk of death for very low birth weight infants born with Level 1 and 2 facilities remains high, said Dr Reyes, not to mention the higher risk of complications of brain haemorrhages if babies are born outside and needed to be transferred to Level 3 centres.
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All these studies led to the conclusion that high-risk patients should be in higher-level centres with the appropriate resources and personnel to address the required complexity of care.
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What is the colour of World Prematurity Day?
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Purple. It stands for sensitivity and exceptionality.
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How can you raise awareness and support newborns and their families?
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There are ways you can raise awareness and support newborns and their families:
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