More than 170,000 babies born preterm every year in Sudan
On Tuesday, the world observed World Prematurity Day, a global initiative to raise awareness of preterm birth, as well as the concerns of parents who welcome their preterm infant.
CAPE TOWN, November 17 (ANA) – According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), in Sudan an estimated 170,600 babies are born prematurely every year.
Premature babies are those born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
According to health reports, premature babies are prone to serious illness and even death during the neonatal period, which is the first four weeks of life.
Some of the factors include impaired respiration, difficulty in feeding, poor body temperature regulation and high risk of infection.
On Tuesday, the world observed World Prematurity Day, a global initiative to raise awareness of preterm birth, as well as the concerns of parents who welcome their preterm infant.
Unicef says one in every 10 babies are born prematurely worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization, common causes of preterm birth include multiple pregnancies, infections and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Often, no cause is identified. There could also be a genetic influence. However, preterm births occur spontaneously.
Despite preterm births being a global problem, Africa accounts for nearly 60%, with lower-income countries reporting higher numbers compared with higher-income countries.
WHO estimates that out of the top 10 countries with the highest rates of preterm births per 100 live births, seven African countries are included.
Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Gabon and Mauritania are some of the countries with the highest preterm birth figures.
The health authority says three-quarters of premature infant deaths could be prevented with current, cost-effective interventions.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
