World Prematurity Day 2021

World Prematurity Day is observed on 17 November each year to raise awareness of preterm birth and the concerns of preterm babies and their families worldwide. Approximately 15 million babies are born preterm each year, accounting for about one in 10 of all babies born worldwide.

Related events

11 November: EFCNI Webinar on COVID-19 report (Launch event)
More information to follow

16 November: Twitter Chat #WPD21Chat
Chat with us on general and current challenges of preterm birth, the importance of keeping parents and babies together, share your experiences with us

The Twitter Chat will take place on:

• on Tuesday, 16 November
• at 9.00 – 10.00 AM EST, 2.00 – 3.00 PM GMT, 3.00 – 4.00 PM CET, 3.00 – 4.00 PM AEDT

You can find the Chat by searching for #WPD21Chat in Twitter.
Use this hashtag also for your own tweets so that your tweets can be found.
Feel free to tweet in your own language.

17 November: NEST360/UNICEF Implementation of Toolkit for Small and Sick Newborn Care (Launch event)
The Toolkit for Small and Sick Newborn Care, developed under the lead of NEST360/UNICEF, will be launched on World Prematurity Day as open access to help all countries, and especially the ones with the highest burden, to be able to move faster towards improving newborn and maternal care and learn together.

17 November: Special Edition Preemie Chats by the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF)
What: Online Webinar
When: 17 November, 12 pm to 3 pm EST
Where: Live streaming on the CPBF Facebook Page and YouTube Channel
Who: Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF)
How: Facebook and YouTube live streams

17 November: Instagram photo challenge "NICU Heroes"
Send out a message of gratitude to the global network of parent organisations and support especially new/young parents and mothers of preterm born babies, by joining our photo challenge!

Post a picture of you and your little one, your baby's nurse or doctor, etc. and give parents hope and celebrate the milestones our children - who really are little heroes - have made.

Also, the challenge is designed to draw attention to the impressive work of parent- and patient organisations and to connect people affected by preterm birth.

Be sure to use the hashtags #NICUheroes and #WorldPrematurityDay2021