17 November
Preterm birth - prematurity - is the leading cause of death of newborn babies and now the number two cause of child mortality globally—a major hurdle to reducing the number of children who die before their fifth birthday. Preterm babies are at increased risk of illness, disability and death. 15 million babies are born too soon every year, or before 37 completed weeks of gestation; and 1,1 million preterm babies die every year.
However, some of these early births and a majority of the resulting deaths can be prevented with proven, low cost interventions.
Source: World Health Organisation - Preterm birth
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