Tomorrow, November 17, Premature Babies Day is celebrated worldwide, established in 2009 by the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Children (EFCNI).
The purpose of this day is to draw public attention to the need to strengthen reproductive health, to help solve the issues faced by medical workers and families with premature babies.
Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely in the world, which is about 10% of all newborns. In Kazakhstan, 20-22 thousand children are born prematurely every year, which is about 5% of all babies born. These babies, born at less than 36 weeks gestation and weighing less than 2500 grams, require special attention and care.
Premature babies have anatomically correct but functionally immature organs, which makes them extremely vulnerable. Such children have very thin and vulnerable skin, low levels of subcutaneous fat, functionally immature lungs, imperfect cardiovascular and digestive systems, as well as an extremely sensitive central nervous system.
In Kazakhstan, modern effective perinatal technologies make it possible to successfully care for newborns with an extremely low body weight of 500 grams and with a low weight of 1000 grams.
There are 39 perinatal centers in the country to provide highly specialized comprehensive care, equipped with modern equipment. As part of the instruction of the Head of State, it is planned to build 12 new perinatal centers that meet international standards.
The process of caring for premature babies requires maximum attention and professionalism of medical professionals, including neonatologists, anesthesiologists, intensive care specialists, nurses and other specialized specialists.
Every newborn's life saved is backed by the titanic work of a team of professionals, and the daily care of one premature baby includes more than 20 different manipulations.
The causes of premature birth are due to a combination of various factors: pregnancy at a late age and after ART, extragenital pathology and infections, abortions, stress factors, genetic predispositions, unhealthy diet, bad habits and others.
Kazakhstan has implemented effective perinatal technologies and the principles of safe motherhood recommended by WHO. Intensive care and neonatal intensive care are developing, neonatologists are trained annually both domestically and abroad. In 2023, the standard for the organization of neonatal care was approved, aimed at saving the life of every newborn.
WHO noted Kazakhstan's achievements in reducing maternal, child and neonatal mortality rates by 2030 within the framework of the SDG indicators.
Over the past 15 years (from 2008 to 2023), the country has achieved significant success: the infant mortality rate has decreased by 3 times, neonatal mortality by 3.3 times, and the survival rate of children with extremely low body weight has increased by 4 times. These results are the best among the Central Asian countries.
Despite the successes achieved, the main task of the medical community and expectant parents remains to reduce the number of premature births, preserve and strengthen reproductive health, as well as prevent infections.
As part of the celebration of the Day of Premature Babies, open days, schools for parents, meetings with former patients and public foundations will be held in the regions of Kazakhstan.
Buildings in the capital and other major cities of the country will be illuminated in purple, symbolizing the International Day of Premature Babies.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/dsm/press/news/details/884503