March 3, 2020, is World Birth Defects Day. Birth defects and preterm births are the leading causes of infant deaths globally, and birth defects are more than twice as common among preterm births. Complications from preterm births account for 16% of all deaths in children under five years old worldwide, and 35% of deaths among newborn babies.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines preterm birth as all births before 37 completed weeks of gestation. The 9th International Conference on Birth Defects & Disabilities in the Developing World took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 23 – 26 February 2020. During the conference, Dr Razia Pendse, WHO Representative to Sri Lanka, gave a presentation titled the Burden of Preterm Birth in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) in the Premature Birth Session.
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Global data analysis reveals that approximately 10.6% of live births, worldwide, are preterm, and more than 80% are from South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Survival rates of preterm babies around the world are unequal. Preterm survival rates have increased in high-income countries; however, preterm newborns in many LMIC still die due to a lack of feasible and cost-effective care such as warmth, breastfeeding support, optimal use of technology, and basic care for infections.
WHO is committed to working with countries to increase the availability and quality of data; working with partners to research causes, prevention methods, and treatments of preterm birth; reviewing and updating clinical guidelines; effectively treating infections and respiratory problems; increasing home-based follow-up care; and providing tools to improve health workers’ skills.
You can learn more about birth defects in South-East Asia and international activities this World Birth Defects Day here. The newsletter outlines opportunities to share your story, learn more about birth defects, and get involved to address this urgent issue.