Each year, some 15 million babies in the world, more than one in 10 births, are bom too early, according to the recent released report Born too soon: the global action report on preterm birth. Bangladesh is among the 10 countries with the greatest numbers (424100) of preterm births.

More than one million of those babies die shortly after birth; countless others suffer some type of lifelong physical, neurological or educational disability — often at great cost to families and society.

An estimated three-quarters of those preterm babies who die could survive without expensive care if a few proven and inexpensive treatments and preventions were available worldwide, according to more than 100 experts who contributed to the report, representing almost 40 UN agencies, universities and organisations.

Antenatal steroid injections for mothers in premature labor cost USS 1 per injection. This helps develop immature fetal lungs and prevent respiratory problems; yet,

in low-income countries, they are only available and provided for 10 percent of those in need.

Kangaroo care where the infant is held skin-to-skin on the mother's chest to keep warm. The warmth is very important for premature infants. Kangaroo care makes frequent breastfeeding easy and provides constant maternal supervision for the infant.

Antiseptic cream to prevent birth cord infection and antibiotics to prevent and fight infection, an

important cause of neonatal death also play a role in preventing death. A key way to reduce preterm numbers is to find ways to help all pregnancies go to full term, or 39 weeks. A healthy baby is worth the wait.

A number of risk factors for preterm birth have been identified, including a prior history of preterm birth, underweight, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, infection, maternal age (either under 17 or over 40), genetics, multi-fetal pregnancy (twins, triplets, and higher), and pregnancies spaced too closely together.

The extensive list of recommendations in the report includes specific actions such as addressing the missing essential medicines and equipment, training existing health staff in how to look after women in preterm labor and these vulnerable babies, increased funding for research to find new prevention solutions, and better data for accurate future counts. Efforts to increase awareness of the preterm birth issue are essential.

Source: World Health Organisation