On November 17, World Premature Babies Day or White Petals Day is celebrated. The petals symbolize the fragility and unbending will to live of such babies. On this day, in more than a hundred countries, all significant objects of the participating cities will be highlighted in purple, which is considered a symbol of the holiday.
The purpose of the campaign is to draw attention to the needs of children who are born prematurely, to tell about the problems of mothers and to express solidarity to families with such babies.
Every year in Russia, about 6% of children are born before 37 weeks and weighing less than 2.5 kg. In such a short period of time, babies do not have time to fully develop internal organs so that they can survive outside the mother’s body. Therefore, premature birth is a serious test for parents and doctors who have to fight for the life of every child.
There should be a special space for rehabilitation and development for such kids. Since 2007, 143 third-level obstetric hospitals have been opened in Russia, where specialized and high-tech medical care is provided to pregnant women. 75% of all premature births are carried out in them. By 2024, infant mortality had fallen to a historic low and amounted to 4.2 cases per 1,000 births.
High rates were achieved thanks to the professionalism of doctors and high-tech equipment of perinatal centers. Due to immunization, premature babies are protected from respiratory syncytial viral infection and its severe consequences. The new model of clinical and statistical rehabilitation groups has improved the rehabilitation rates of premature infants. The introduction of retinopathy of prematurity therapy technologies has also shown high efficiency – in almost 86% of cases, babies manage to preserve their eyesight.
In support of the World Premature Babies Day, the charity fund “Give Sunshine” in all perinatal centers and medical institutions of the country will hold holidays for children, meetings with parents, flash mob “White Petals”, master classes, meetings with specialists and experts of the foundation, as well as useful lectures.
In the Year of the Family, the foundation’s specialists have prepared useful tips for expectant mothers — read more in the cards.
Source 17 ноября — Всемирный день недоношенных детей . Российская Федерация – Год Семьи 2024
