India, Pakistan, Nigeria, China and Ethiopia together accounted for 45 percent of preterm births (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) in 2020, according to a new report released on Wednesday by UN agencies and partners. A UN report on this “silent emergency” of prematurity shows that in 2020 an estimated 13.4 million babies were born pre-term, of whom nearly 1 million were dying from complications of prematurity.
The report Born Too Soon: A Decade of Action on Preterm Birth highlights a problem long recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, together with PMNCH, the world’s largest coalition for women, children and adolescents. Premature birth in its scale and severity, which is impeding progress in improving the health and survival of children.
Overall, it found that prematurity rates have not changed in any region of the world over the past decade, with 152 million vulnerable babies born too early from 2010 to 2020.
In 2020, Bangladesh had the highest estimated birth rate (16.2 percent), followed by Malawi (14.5 percent) and Pakistan (14.4 percent), India (13 percent) and South Africa (13 percent). Rates were even higher in high-income countries, such as Greece (11.6 percent) and the United States (10.0 percent).
Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have the highest rates of preterm birth, and premature babies in these regions are at highest risk of mortality.
These two regions account for more than 65 percent of preterm births globally.
“Ensuring quality care for these smallest, most vulnerable babies and their families is imperative for improving child health and survival. Progress is also needed to help prevent premature birth – which means that every Women must be able to access quality health services before and during pregnancy to identify and manage risks,” Anshu Banerjee, director of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and age at WHO, said in a statement. .
In addition, the report states that prematurity is now the leading cause of child death, with more than one in five children dying before their fifth birthday.
Premature survivors may face lifelong health consequences, with an increased likelihood of disability and developmental delay.
Maternal health risks, such as teen pregnancy and pre-eclampsia, are also closely linked to premature birth.
Even in high-income countries, disparities related to race, ethnicity, income, and access to quality care determine the likelihood of premature birth, death, and disability.
In addition, the effects of conflict, climate change and environmental damage, COVID-19, and the rising cost of living are increasing the risks to women and babies everywhere. For example, air pollution is estimated to contribute to six million preterm births each year.
“Every premature death is followed by a trail of loss and heartbreak. Despite the many strides the world has made over the past decade, we have made little progress in reducing the number of young children born too early or at risk of dying. Haven’t made any progress.” Steven Lavarrier, UNICEF’s director of health, said in the statement.
“This toll is devastating. It is time we improve care for expectant mothers and premature infants and ensure every child gets a healthy start and thrives in life,” she said.