As World Prematurity Day approaches on 17 November, we honour the quiet courage of families whose babies are born too soon. Behind every tiny heartbeat in an incubator lies a story of strength, love, and determination, of parents who persevere, and healthcare teams who give their all.
According to the World Health Organisation, one in every ten babies takes their first breath a little earlier than expected, arriving before their time and before the world is quite ready. For many families, that early arrival marks the beginning of a journey shaped by hope, patience, and resilience. Beyond the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the experience of prematurity can continue to influence a child’s development and a family’s daily life long after those first fragile weeks.
Medically, a preterm birth is defined as any birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation, roughly eight months. In Malaysia, the rate of preterm birth stood at 10.7% of live births in 2020. Two key factors influence a preterm infant’s outlook: how early they are born and their weight at birth.
It is often assumed that premature babies quickly “catch up” in growth and development and that the hardest phase ends after the first year. While many preterm babies do go on to thrive, some may face ongoing health or developmental challenges that require extra support along the way.
Possible complications include respiratory distress syndrome, necrotising enterocolitis, sepsis (severe infection), retinopathy of prematurity, or brain-related conditions such as intraventricular haemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia. Some of these may lead to long-term cognitive, motor, or sensory development difficulties.
Yet the impact of prematurity extends well beyond medical care. For many parents, frequent hospital visits, therapy sessions, and specialist consultations can feel overwhelming, especially when combined with work and family responsibilities. Still, countless families describe how the experience deepens resilience, strengthens bonds, and brings renewed appreciation for milestones others may take for granted.
As children grow, some may need continued support, speech therapy, occupational therapy or tailored education plans to help them reach their full potential.
A Broader Public Health Challenge
Prematurity is not just an individual or family experience; it is a public health concern that affects communities and healthcare systems worldwide. Structured early-intervention programmes in high-income countries have shown that timely therapy, consistent follow-up care, and parental support can significantly improve long-term outcomes.
In Malaysia, while advanced neonatal care is available in many urban hospitals, access to ongoing developmental support varies, especially for underserved or rural communities.
Recognising this gap, the Ministry of Health has aligned its strategies under the Child Health 2021–2030 national framework, which aims to strengthen continuity of care through upgraded community health services, structured developmental surveillance, and stronger inter-sectoral cooperation. These initiatives mark encouraging progress toward ensuring every baby receives the support they need from the very beginning.
Prevention and Early Detection
Understanding and addressing the causes of preterm birth are equally important. Around 75% of preterm births result from spontaneous labour, while others arise from maternal or fetal conditions such as pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, gestational diabetes, placenta praevia, or placental abruption. In such cases, early delivery is sometimes necessary to protect the health of both mother and baby, decisions that clinicians make with great care and compassion.
Early detection and intervention can make a profound difference. Women who have previously experienced preterm birth or who have a short cervix may benefit from preventive care such as hormone therapy or a minor surgical procedure for cervical support.
If preterm birth becomes unavoidable, treatments such as steroid injections can help strengthen fetal lung maturity, while magnesium sulphate reduces the risk of brain injury. Equally crucial is maternal education, ensuring expectant mothers understand early signs of labour and seek timely care. Continued efforts from public health authorities are essential to extend these preventive services to all communities.
Together, we can work toward a future where fewer babies are born prematurely, and where every child, no matter how early their journey begins, receives the care, compassion, and opportunity they need to thrive.
Dr Khine Pwint Phyu is the Head of Learning and Teaching, while Dr Ganesh Ramachandran serves as the Head of the School of Medicine. Both are Associate Professors and Obstetricians and Gynaecologists at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University.
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication
