Thread by @WHO

Today is #WorldPrematurityDay.
Approximately 1 in 10 of all babies born globally are preterm - born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy bit.ly/2RWokG3

#BornTooSoon

@WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe Prematurity is the leading cause of death worldwide for children below 5 years of age.
Three-quarters of these deaths could be prevented with the right care during pregnancy and during and after birth bit.ly/2RWokG3

#BornTooSoon

A newborn’s chances of surviving and thriving largely depend on where they are born.
♥️In high-income countries most #BornTooSoon babies survive.
💔In the poorest countries, half of those born at or before 32 weeks will lose their life
bit.ly/2RWokG3

@WHO_Europe @WHOSEARO @WHOEMRO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @pahowho The 10 countries with the highest rates of #preterm births:
Malawi 🇲🇼
Comoros 🇰🇲
Congo 🇨🇬
Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶
Mozambique 🇲🇿
Gabon 🇬🇦
Pakistan 🇵🇰
Indonesia 🇮🇩
Mauritania 🇲🇷

bit.ly/2RWokG3

#BornTooSoon

Each year, an estimated 1 million small and sick newborns survive with a long-term disability, including learning disabilities and problems seeing and hearing bit.ly/2QvtKYM

#BornTooSoon

@WHOEMRO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHO_Europe @pahowho Infants who are #BornTooSoon are at risk of disability and poor development, and each requires extra attention and care bit.ly/2QvtKYM

@WHOEMRO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHO_Europe @pahowho Maximizing newborn contact with parents, particularly the mother:
💞encourages bonding
🤱🏽supports lactation and feeding with breastmilk
🧠promotes cognitive development
#BornTooSoon

bit.ly/2DJxD5o

@WHOEMRO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHO_Europe @pahowho Many newborn deaths can be averted with:
🤱🏽exclusive breastfeeding
🤗skin-to-skin contact between the mother or father and the baby
💊medicines and essential equipment
🏥access to clean, well-equipped health facilities staffed by skilled health workers

@WHOEMRO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHO_Europe @pahowho Preventing deaths and complications from preterm birth starts with a healthy pregnancy.
WHO recommends antenatal care that includes a minimum of 8 contacts with health professionals throughout pregnancy to identify and manage risks bit.ly/2A0gujJ