World Prematurity Day 2023
World Prematurity Day is observed on November 17 each year to raise awareness regarding the challenges and burden of preterm birth worldwide. Approximately one out of ten infants are born preterm each year, therefore, the symbol of World Prematurity Day is the socks line with a small pair of purple socks framed by nine full-size baby socks. The color purple stands for sensitivity and exceptionality.
The Philippine Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine, together with its training institutions celebrated World Prematurity Day in 2023 as its final outreach activity with the theme: “Small Actions, BIG IMPACT: Immediate skin to skin care for every baby everywhere, Unang Yakap ni Nanay, Maliit na Bagay, Ramdam Habangbuhay”, emphasizing Kangaroo care or immediate skin-to-skin contact and first latch to promote breastfeeding.
Again, we started with a maternal lay form conducted by our fellows-in-training with simultaneous free ultrasound screening for shortened maternal cervical length to identify our pregnant patients at risk for preterm delivery. This was also echoed in the different regions without training institutions as together, we inspire, engage and collaborate to decrease the maternal and fetal complications of preterm labor and delivery in our country!
