World Prematurity Day highlights risks for preterm babies with underdeveloped organs and higher chances of complications.
The World Health Organization (WHO) marked its first official observance of World Prematurity Day by releasing a comprehensive global clinical guide for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a simple yet life-saving intervention proven to improve survival for preterm and low birth-weight infants. ()
Preterm Birth: A Global Health Challenge for Children Under Five
Annually, around 15 million babies are born prematurely (before 37 weeks), making complications from preterm birth the leading cause of death in children under five.
Survival rates vary drastically: while almost all extremely preterm babies survive in high-income countries, many in low-resource settings die within days.
KMC combines prolonged skin-to-skin contact with breast-milk feeding, dramatically improving outcomes. Studies show KMC can reduce newborn deaths by over 30%, hypothermia by nearly 70%, and severe infections by 15%, while supporting weight gain, cognitive development, and long-term health.
“This approach not only saves lives but empowers mothers and families, transforming newborn care,” said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care.
Step-by-Step Kangaroo Mother Care for Preterm Babies
The new WHO guide provides step-by-step, adaptable guidance for health workers, facility managers, and caregivers on initiating, maintaining, and monitoring KMC. It emphasizes starting KMC immediately after birth for all preterm or low birth-weight babies unless urgent medical conditions prevent it. Fathers and family members can also participate, offering both emotional and practical support.
KMC is feasible at all health facility levels—from labor rooms and operating theaters to postnatal wards and intensive care units—and can continue at home.
The guide details secure positioning using cloth wraps, elastic binders, or specialized garments, and outlines how facilities can create supportive environments with trained staff and family-centered policies.
World Prematurity Day 2025
On World Prematurity Day 2025, themed “A strong start for a hopeful future,” WHO called on governments, health systems, and partners to prioritize quality care for preterm and low birth-weight babies. This includes dedicated neonatal wards, trained staff, and universal access to essential medicines and equipment such as antibiotics.
Preterm babies face heightened risks due to underdeveloped lungs, brains, and immune systems, making them vulnerable to infections, hypothermia, respiratory distress, and other life-threatening conditions.
“No newborn should die from preventable causes,” said Dr. Per Ashorn, WHO Unit Head for Newborn and Child Health and Development. “Investing in specialized care for small or sick babies, alongside quality maternity services, can prevent many cases of preterm birth and give every baby the chance to survive and thrive.”
The launch of this guidance represents a pivotal step in standardizing and expanding access to evidence-based interventions, ensuring that even the smallest lives have a strong start.
References:
- WHO promotes lifesaving intervention for small and preterm babies on first official World Prematurity Day – (https://www.who.int/news/item/14-11-2025-who-promotes-lifesaving-intervention-for-small-and-preterm-babies-on-first-official-world-prematurity-day)
Source-Medindia