I would like to talk to you today about a serious problem: the number of premature births is increasing, in all countries (except in three) the rates of premature births have increased in the last 20 years. In fact, every year about 15 million babies in the world, more than one for 10 births, are born too soon.
This is one of the conclusions of the report called 'Born too soon: global action report on premature births' Prepared by the March of Dimes Foundation, Alliance for the Health of Mother, Newborn and Child, Save the Children and the World Health Organization.
More than one million of these babies die shortly after birth; Many others suffer some kind of physical, neurological or educational disability, often at great cost to families and society.
The report It explains what is known about premature birth, its causes, and the type of care needed, we are going to focus today on prevention. The new figures in the report show the magnitude of the problem as well as disparities between countries. Of the 11 countries with premature birth rates greater than 15 percent, all but 2 are in sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Joy Lawn (co-editor of the report and member of Save the Children), states that "deaths in prematurely born children account for almost half of all deaths of newborns in the world." "Now, they are the second leading cause of death in children under 5, after pneumonia."
For Ban Ki - moon (Secretary General of the United Nations), the effort towards reducing premature births should be an integral part of the Global Strategy for the Health of Women and Children. "All newborns are vulnerable, but premature babies are even more"
In high-income countries, the increase in the number of premature births is linked to the number of older women who are mothers and the increase in the consumption of fertility drugs, resulting in multiple pregnancies. In some developed countries, unnecessarily medically induced births and pre-term cesarean sections have also increased premature births. In many low-income countries, the main causes of premature births include infections, malaria, HIV and high rates of teenage pregnancy. In rich and poor countries, many premature births remain unexplained
Prevention to reduce premature births
A key to reducing the number of premature births is find a way to help all pregnancies reach term. "Prevention is decisive," says Dr. Elizabeth Mason, Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health of the World Health Organization and a major contributor to the report.
"We are analyzing what can be done before a woman becomes pregnant to help her have an optimal outcome," "We know that poverty, education, malaria and HIV have an impact on pregnancy and the health of the baby."
A number of risk factors for premature birth, including a previous history of premature birth, low weight, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, infections, maternal age (under 17 or over 40), genetics, multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets or older), and pregnancies too in a row
However, little is known about the interaction of these and other environmental and social factors.
The report calls for the development of a research program to clearly identify risk factors and understand how their interactions can cause premature births. Based on further research, more definitive ways of monitoring and treating women at risk would be identified to prevent the problem from occurring.
But the report recommends taking effective action now (even before investigations could provide more data). For example, the detection of known medical conditions in women who could put them at risk during pregnancy, ensure good nutrition before and during pregnancy and ensure that all women have access to good prior medical care and during pregnancy.
The text of which we have spoken to you offers a detailed agenda for all groups interested in premature births and child health, including from the United Nations and governments at all levels to donor countries and global philanthropic institutions and civil society
Some 30 groups have already pledged to participate in the global effort to reduce both the number of premature births and the death rate, and support the research agenda. These commitments are published in 'every woman, ever child'.
