World Prematurity Day

Deepthi Reddy
Dec 22, 2023 By Deepthi Reddy
Originally Published on Mar 28, 2022
World Prematurity Day brings attention to one of the leading causes of death in children under the age of five.

Where is World Prematurity Day observed?

The day is observed worldwide, with many countries having distinct ways of observing the day.

Who is World Prematurity Day observed by?

 Parents, families, healthcare professionals, politicians, hospitals, hospital staff, organizations, many healthcare centers, and many more observe this day.

When did World Prematurity Day first start?

Initially, this day was known as International Awareness Day For Preterm Birth and started being observed from the year 2008.

Who started World Prematurity Day?

The first day for premature birth was created by the European Parent Organization and was observed on November 17 to raise awareness about premature birth. This day later came to be known as World Prematurity Day.

History And Timeline

Starting from 2008, this day dedicated to premature births has been observed worldwide to raise awareness regarding preterm babies and the problems they face due to being born preterm.

Declaration Of The Day

The European Parent Organization created an International Awareness Day For Preterm Birth.

2008

Change Of Name

The International Awareness Day For Preterm Birth was renamed World Prematurity Day.

2011

Spread Of World Prematurity Day

In 2013, more than 60 countries observed the day.

November 17, 2013

Tenth Anniversary

The 10th anniversary of World Prematurity Day was observed.

November 17, 2018

Zero Separation Act Now!

The World Prematurity Day in 2021 followed the theme 'Zero Separation Act Now! Keep babies and parents born too soon together.'

November 17, 2021

Traditions And Customs

 Purple is the official color of the day. People who observe the day wear purple ribbon pins or use purple-colored light bulbs to show solidarity.

Ways To Observe World Prematurity Day

You can help out and volunteer at your local hospital or help cheer up the children and families admitted to the hospital. Wearing a purple ribbon to show support and raise awareness about the day can also be done.

Providing classes to mothers and families on how to take care of babies born preterm is another way of observing the day.

Facts And Stats

  •  Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered preterm babies.
  • 60% of preterm baby births occur in Africa and South Asia.
  • A preterm child can have further complications, including disabilities and health problems.
  • Children born before their due date have to stay longer at the hospital and require more support.

What is the ribbon color for premature babies?

The color of the ribbon used for children born before the due date is purple.

What qualifies as a premature baby?

Any baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy qualifies as a premature baby.

Who created World Prematurity Day?

The European Parent Organization started this day in the year 2008.

Do premature babies cry at birth?

They may cry softly or not at all.

What percent of babies are born prematurely?

One in ten babies are born prematurely. Approximately 15 million births out of the total births in a year are premature.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Monday, November 16, 2020
  • Tuesday, November 16, 2021
  • Wednesday, November 16, 2022
  • Thursday, November 16, 2023
  • Saturday, November 16, 2024

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Written by Deepthi Reddy

Master of Business Administration

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Deepthi ReddyMaster of Business Administration

With an MBA under her belt, Deepthi has discovered her true calling in content writing. Her writing repertoire is diverse, covering travel, movies, pet care, parenting, animals and birds, and more. Her joy of learning and creating has helped her craft well-written and engaging articles. When she isn't writing, Deepthi enjoys exploring new cultures, trying different foods, and spending quality time with her two children aged 7 and 12.

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