Premature Birth is Not a Disease
A healthy life begins with a healthy pregnancy followed by a timely and healthy birth. However, both in the world and in our country, some babies are born prematurely, before the pregnancy is completed and before the expected time. The average duration of pregnancy is normally 40 weeks. However, if a baby is born before 37 weeks, it is considered a premature baby. The earlier the birth, the greater the health risks. Congenital subcategories can be summarized as follows: Those born under 28 weeks are at the highest risk, those born between 28-31 weeks are at moderate risk, and those born between 32-36 weeks are at the lowest risk. When the causes of prematurity are analyzed, it is found that a significant portion is caused by high-risk pregnancies. However, the risk of giving birth to premature babies increases due to poverty, young pregnancy, frequent births, malnutrition and inadequate pregnancy care.
This prenatal care is of great importance both qualitatively and quantitatively. In particular, appropriate follow-up of risky pregnancies and appropriate interventions in emergencies, as well as close monitoring of infants starting from the newborn period, saves the lives of many mothers and babies. According to World Health Organization data, preterm birth rates of countries vary between 5% and 18%. According to the World Health Organization, 15 million babies are born prematurely and as a result, over 1 million babies die before the age of one.
PREMATURITY IS SERIOUS
Prematurity is very serious in Turkey due to the high annual birth rate. When we look at the numbers, the number of premature babies in Turkey is equal to the annual total of premature babies in Germany and France. It is the total number of premature babies born in other small countries in the European Union. In Turkey, 150,000 babies are born prematurely every year; 50,000 of them are very very small, under 1,000 grams. However, premature birth should not be perceived as a disease. Premature babies have the capacity to have a normal developmental process, a productive and healthy life, they just do not have the ability to mobilize this capacity on their own. At this point, families and healthcare professionals have great responsibilities. In parallel with the knowledge and technological developments in prematurity care in our country as well as in the world, it is ensured that these babies are kept alive and brought into society as healthy individuals. Remember that adequate and balanced nutrition, not using tobacco and tobacco products, healthy living and routine medical check-ups help prevent premature birth.