Born Too Soon: WHO Queries Nations, Demands Action for Preterm Birth

In efforts to limit preterm birth and the general paternity rate, which lead to health complications relating to pregnancy and childbirth that affect the lives of both children and women around the world, the world health organizations and United Nations agencies and partners have released a comprehensive report titled “Born Too Soon” with action plans to end the decade’s issues of preterm birth.

According to a recent finding by the World Health Organization (WHO), preterm birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy, has been a recurring nightmare for families and their newborn babies for decades. The report highlights that, as of 2023, one newborn baby dies every second among those born preterm, accounting for 1 in 10 children. Shockingly, an alarming number of approximately 52 million preterm births have occurred worldwide in the last decade. The dire consequences of preterm birth include disabilities and health issues for many survivors, while a significant portion of preterm infants sadly succumbs to their vulnerability.

Despite significant advancements in various sectors, preterm birth rates remained unchanged in all regions of the world over the past decade, highlighting the critical nature of this global health crisis, especially between 2010 and 2020, when the world expected improvements capable of declining the rate and victim figures.

However, the consequences of preterm birth are far-reaching and severe. It has become the leading cause of death among children, accounting for over 20% of all child mortality cases before their fifth birthday. Moreover, preterm survivors often face lifelong health challenges, including disabilities and developmental delays.

The report also draws attention to the inequalities and disparities related to preterm birth. The chances of survival for extremely preterm babies, born before 28 weeks of gestation, vary significantly depending on the country of birth. In low-income nations, only one in ten of these vulnerable infants survive, while more than nine in ten survive in high-income countries. Furthermore, race, ethnicity, income, and access to quality care play crucial roles in determining the likelihood of preterm birth, death, and disability, even in high-income nations.

Regions such as Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa experience the highest rates of preterm births, placing preterm babies in these areas at the greatest risk of mortality. The report also underscores the increasing risks faced by women and infants due to factors such as conflict, climate change, COVID-19, and rising living costs. For instance, air pollution alone is estimated to contribute to six million preterm births annually. Additionally, approximately one in ten preterm babies are born in the ten most fragile countries affected by humanitarian crises, according to the report’s analysis.

Maternal health risks, including adolescent pregnancy and pre-eclampsia, are closely linked to preterm births. Thus, the report emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services, including effective family planning and delivering high-quality care during pregnancy and childbirth.

In light of these findings, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (PMNCH) have called for immediate action to improve care for women and newborns and address the risks associated with preterm births. Their proposed actions include increased investments in maternal and newborn health, accelerated implementation of established national policies, integration across sectors, and investment in local-led innovation and research.

The report also highlights the crucial role of community activism and advocacy in addressing the challenges of preterm birth. Parents, health professionals, academia, civil society, and various stakeholders have been at the forefront of demanding improved care and policy changes to support families affected by preterm birth.