Survival rates of preemie infants weighing "less than 1500 grams" increased to 92% in 2016 compared to 68% in 2000; and preemie infants weighing "less than 1000 grams" increased to 82% in 2016 compared to 46% in 2000.
With the participation of Executive Director of Operations, NGHA, Western Region, His Excellency Brig. General Eng. Khalid Mohammad Bakulka and Deputy Executive Director of Medical Services, Dr. Issam Alzimaity, the 2017 World Prematurity Day activities were launched on the 20th of November 2017 which was organized by King Abdulaziz Medical City - Jeddah, and represented by the Department of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (preemie infants). The event aims to honor preterm children and their families who have been cared for in King Abdulaziz Medical City – Jeddah from their birth until they’re fully developed and taken home, in addition to a number of programs and activities related to taking care of a preemie infants
NICU Specialist and head of the organizing committee Dr. Mohammad Yaser al-Hindi "Those children are a precious group in our life, premature birth is when a baby is born before they are fully developed in the uterus for many reasons, therefore, they require special attention and care, but having a competent medical staff eases the parents anxiety for realizing that behind these machines (incubators) is a devoted staff who dedicate their time and effort to serve their preemie infant.
And here comes the role of the healthcare staff assigned to care for them, it is the patient’s right to have a medical care with high morals, and fully qualified and familiar with the latest information and techniques in this specialty. Moreover, the organizing committee hoped to raise the awareness levels of the parents on advanced modern machines and medications with the supervision a specialized team of doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, clinical pharmacists, physiotherapists, and many others.
Preterm infants are small babies that are born before the mother has reached 37 weeks of gestation—in other words, they are babies who are born too early. Each year, an estimated 15 million babies are born preemies, meaning more than one preemie in every 10 births. Additionally, the complications of premature birth are the death of nearly 1 million infants in 2015; one-third of preterm infants can be saved by the high-quality care and basic mother healthcare.
Head of the NICU, Dr. Mansour Al-Qurashi, said that Survival rates of preemie infants weighing "less than 1500 grams" increased to 92% in 2016 compared to 68% in 2000; and preemie infants weighing "less than 1000 grams" increased to 82% in 2016 compared to 46% in 2000.
Dr. Mansour Al-Qurashi also added that some of the recommendations include Injecting pregnant women who are at risk of premature labor with prenatal steroid, the Kangaroo Mother Care is a method of care of preterm infants, particularly those weighing less than 2 kg. It includes exclusive and frequent breastfeeding in addition to skin-to-skin contact and support, the treatment of infections and respiratory problems, home health care.
Last but not least, the activates were accompanied by an awareness exhibition which was held at the Ambulatory Care Center.