People worldwide will observe Prematurity Day on Saturday 17 November 2018 to acknowledge the journey of preterm infants and their families.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year an estimated 15 million infants worldwide are born preterm. Sadly, the complications of preterm birth are among the leading causes of death in children under five. All infants born preterm require immediate and significant medical care posing unexpected challenges – emotional and financial – to their parents and family system.
A premature birth occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation (pregnancy). In humans, a normal gestational period is from 38 to 42 weeks. Ideally, babies remain in the womb until they are full-term, but for various reasons this does not always happen. The causes of pre-term birth vary, but in most cases the exact cause is unknown. Most babies in neonatal units weigh 1 500 g and less, which is less than half the weight a normal baby should be. In the Western Cape, 684 babies were born weighing less than 1 kg and 4873 babies were born with a birth weight between 1kg and 2 kgs according to 2017/18 stats.
‘The true strength of a premature baby’s fighting spirit can never be measured by weight, length or gestational age. Premature babies are true survivors. They show us the power of faith and prayer and the fight of the human spirit. They are the embodiment of perseverance. Premature infants are human beings that were born while being under construction. It is in the hands of nurses, doctors, mothers, fathers and families to grow them and guide them safely through hospital stay. To fulfil their destiny and full potential they need the support, input and guidance of their community,’ said Dr Miemie du Preez, senior consultant, Neonatology.
Over 80% of pre-term deaths result from the following preventable and treatable causes:
Complications of prematurity
Neonatal infections
Birth asphyxia
Western Cape Government Health is combating these unnecessary pre-term deaths in the province. Some of these measures include getting more incubators and supporting campaigns like the purple campaign, which will help the Province save more lives.
Ensuring a healthy pregnancy and infancy for your child
Your child’s health is most vulnerable during the first 1 000 days of its life. We believe that the first 1 000 days in a child’s development, starting from conception, moving through pregnancy, birth, and after the first 2 years of life, are crucial for securing a child’s bright future.
‘We also believe that the healthy early development of a child, and the well-being of the mother, is the responsibility of the community. It takes the whole village to raise a healthy child,’ said Western Cape Minister of Health, Dr. Nomafrench Mbombo.
Research indicates that both the physical and mental development of infants develops rapidly during the 1 000 days period, and the right care and nutrition during this window period helps to:
The 3 most important aspects of the first 1 000 days are:
Kangaroo mother care
Kangaroo mother care is a method of care of preterm infants weighing less than 2 kg. It includes exclusive and frequent breastfeeding in addition to skin-to-skin contact and support for both mother and infant, and has been shown to reduce mortality in hospital-based studies in low- and middle-income countries.
Its key features are:
Kangaroo care can help your baby:
Show your support and wear purple on the 17th!
Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Western Cape Government Health
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za