The World Prematurity Day was observed on November 17 with a report ranking Nigeria as the third among the first 10 countries with the greatest number of preterm births.
Nigeria is behind India and China, which got the first and second positions, respectively.
A premature birth occurs when a baby is born before the 37th week of a pregnancy. A normal pregnancy lasts 40 weeks.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 60 per cent of preterm births occur in Africa and South Asia, but preterm birth is truly a global problem.
“In lower-income countries, on the average, 12 per cent of babies are born too early, compared with nine per cent in higher-income countries. Within countries, poorer families are at higher risk,” WHO said.
It also revealed that approximately 15 million babies are born preterm, each year, accounting for about one in 10 of all babies born worldwide.
“While many babies born preterm go on to lead healthy lives, some suffer devastating consequence as a result,” WHO added.
Our correspondent also gathered that, globally, prematurity is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five years. And in almost all countries with reliable data, preterm birth rates are increasing.
According to the Chief Medical Director, Haven Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Adeshina Adebamiro, causes of preterm births include women getting pregnant for the first time, women delivering the umpteenth time, poor diet, over-confidence on the part of pregnant women and sometimes infections.
He noted that women getting pregnant for the first time risked complications because of their lack of experience.
“Some of them may not register in hospitals and maternity centres on time,” he said.
Adebamiro added that complications might induce labour, which might result in the birth of premature babies.
“One doesn’t know when labour begins; so we cannot say why they fall behind schedule on their delivery dates,” he said.
Adebamiro also disclosed that premature babies could be born when those delivering for the umpteenth time failed to register for ante-natal.
“They are always over-confident that it is not their first time; therefore, there is no need to go to the hospital early,” he said.
The medical director also listed poor diet and complications, especially those, which occur around the vagina, which can travel, up and trigger contractions.
He, however, noted that education on the part of the population on how and when to make use of health facilities had become imperative.
Adebamiro added, “We need to educate the populace and that is where the government comes in. It is better not to use any drug or local herb until they see their doctor.
“They need to go to the hospital to register for ante-natal, they need to deliver in the hospital.”
