World Prematurity Day is observed globally to raise awareness of the challenges and impact of preterm birth. On this day, we emphasize the urgent need to improve care for babies born too soon, while also ensuring practical and emotional support for their families. The official slogan for this year’s World Prematurity Day is: “Give preterm babies a strong start for a brighter future.”

The Institute of Public Health joins the campaign of the Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (GFCNI). This year’s message calls for urgent action to improve the health and well-being of preterm babies from the very beginning. A strong start in life helps these babies grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.

A preterm baby is defined as a live-born infant delivered before 37 completed weeks of gestation.

There are subcategories of preterm birth based on gestational age:

Extremely preterm: less than 28 weeks

Very preterm: from 28 to less than 32 weeks

Moderate to late preterm: from 32 to 37 weeks

Babies may be born prematurely due to spontaneous preterm labor or because of a medical indication for planned induction of labor or early cesarean section.

One in ten babies is born preterm. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 13.4 million babies were born prematurely in 2020 (before 37 completed weeks of gestation).

Complications of preterm birth are the leading cause of death among children under five years of age, accounting for approximately 900,000 deaths in 2019.

Three-quarters of these deaths could be prevented with existing, cost-effective interventions. Globally, the rate of preterm birth ranges from 4% to 16% of babies born after 2020.

In the Republic of North Macedonia, according to the State Statistical Office, the infant mortality rate in 2024 was 1.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 10.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013. During this period, a positive trend of declining infant mortality has been observed.

Preterm birth represents a serious global and national health challenge, with a significant impact on newborn survival and health. Although North Macedonia, like many countries worldwide, faces various factors that increase the risk of preterm births, a clear positive trend in reducing infant mortality has been recorded over the past decade. According to data from the State Statistical Office, infant mortality rates have declined significantly compared to previous years, indicating improvements in healthcare, access to medical services, and neonatal support.

This progress should be further strengthened through continued investments in perinatal and neonatal care, early risk detection, enhancement of hospital capacities, and the provision of support for families. Through joint efforts and the implementation of effective, evidence-based interventions, we can ensure better health, higher survival chances, and a higher-quality future for every preterm baby.