If a baby arrives before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy, he or she is called a premature baby. These babies often require Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission for varied periods of time. Some stay for a few weeks, whereas some neonates often spend their first few months in the NICU, depending on how sick the baby is.
World Prematurity Day celebrated on 17 November is one of the most important days in the year to raise awareness on the challenges and burden of preterm birth globally. Of the 15 million babies born preterm globally, 1/5th are born in India. Given that prematurity is the leading cause of deaths in children less than 5 years of age across the globe, there is no doubt that India has a huge need for neonatal critical care facilities.
Consultant, Critical Care Services, NH SRCC Children’s Hospital, Dr Nakul Kothari said, “When a child is delivered early, the organs of the baby are not fully developed and it is important to take specialized care of the baby. One of the common problems with extremely premature babies is respiratory distress as the lungs are not fully developed and there is a lack of a protein in the lungs called surfactant, which helps in normal functioning of lungs. This may put them at risk of severe respiratory distress and even respiratory failure. All other organs including heart, head, eyes among others need close monitoring to ensure they develop normally.”
On the occasion of World Prematurity Day on the 17th of November, SRCC Children’s Hospital invited its ex NICU graduates, and parents of the babies presently admitted in the NICU. They organized a few interactive sessions where Nurses, Doctors talked to them about Kangaroo Mother Care, the anticipated course of the baby in NICU, problems that they may face after going home. A lot of mothers also shared their experiences. It was received well with the new parents who had just started their journey in the NICU. Parents also got an opportunity to ask questions to the doctors and nurses about their queries.
World Prematurity Day Celebrated At SRCC Children’s Hospital
