World Prematurity Day

World Prematurity Day timeline

2012

"Strong Start" Promoted Healthy Babies

"Strong Start," a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and a national group of obstetricians and gynecologists, supported the March of Dimes' campaign urging the public to avoid scheduling a medically unnecessary delivery prior to 39 weeks of pregnancy.

2008

The March of Dimes Created the Preemie Act

The Preemie Act, launched by the March of Dimes, became law in 2006 — requesting federal support for lifesaving research and education about babies born too early.

The 1990s

Strides in technology improved prematurity

The decade reflected many achievements in successfully treating premature infants born as early as 23 weeks and weighing just over a pound.

The 1980s

Family First

This decade saw many family-centered changes in how to help premature babies — including parental rooming-in policies in hospitals, and older children allowing to help in the infants' care.

World Prematurity Day FAQs

When is World Prematurity Day?

World Prematurity Day 2026 is observed on Tuesday, November 17. It’s a fixed annual observance dedicated to raising global awareness about premature birth and its impact on families.

How many babies are born prematurely each year?

Globally, approximately 15 million babies are born prematurely each year, accounting for about one in 10 births. This staggering number highlights the widespread impact of prematurity on families and healthcare systems worldwide.

What are the health challenges faced by premature babies?

Premature babies, especially those born very early, face a range of health challenges including respiratory distress syndrome, developmental delays, vision and hearing problems, and increased risk of infections. Long-term effects can include cerebral palsy and learning disabilities.

What is the significance of the color purple for World Prematurity Day?

The color purple is the official color for World Prematurity Day, symbolizing sensitivity, hope, and the delicate nature of premature infants. Wearing purple on November 17 is a visible way to show support and raise awareness for the cause.

How to Observe World Prematurity Day

Post pictures on social media

Many people have never seen a premature baby. You can make a difference by posting pictures of preemies on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. It may be unnerving to see such tiny human beings with tubes coming out of their mouths or in incubators. But it's an important way to put the problem of premature babies front and center. Your pic could just start a movement.

Give a care package

Many organizations sponsor care packages for preemies. These gifts contain tiny diapers, bottles, blankets, and in many cases, doll-sized clothes. Some hospitals also provide these packages without charge to families with babies weighing less than three pounds. Or, just go out and buy some things and share them with a new mother.

Pull out the purple

Purple is the official color for National World Prematurity Day. Wear your purple ribbon pin or even get a purple ribbon tattoo. Light your home or office with a purple bulb. Whatever way you can show your support empowers the families who are struggling to keep a premature baby alive. It's a way to do your part to educate and sensitize the community to this unfortunate problem that can affect any one of us.

5 Things To Give You Pause Over Premature Births

It's why full-term pregnancies are important

Did you know that the brain, lungs and other organs don't develop until the last few weeks of pregnancy?

It's an uphill battle

Each year one in ten American births result in infant mortality.

Preemies can grow up to be famous

Many famous historical figures were born prematurely including physicist Albert Einstein, writer Mark Twain, political leader Winston Churchill, French author Victor Hugo, the emperor Napoleon, and scientist Isaac Newton.

It produces powerful mother's milk

One interesting thing happens to mothers who deliver premature babies; the milk mothers produce contains special properties including extra minerals, fat, and proteins that these tiny infants need.

Gender plays a role

Boys are more likely than girls to be born prematurely due to a outsized risk of high blood pressure and placenta abnormalities in the mothers.

Why World Prematurity Day is Important

Premature births are increasing in the U.S.

Every year the March of Dimes issues a report card that assesses the efforts to reduce premature births in the U.S. Unfortunately, our country is losing ground in this battle for healthy babies. In fact, our overall grade is a "C" — showing a widening gulf of differences in survival rates depending on racial background and socioeconomic conditions of the mothers. The best grades go to states in the west and northwest and failing grades go to states in the southwest and southeast.

There's more than one kind of premature birth

When we speak in general terms about premature babies, we tend to dismiss the variety of premature births that occur. A late preterm baby is born sometime between 34 and 37 weeks of a pregnancy. An actual preemie is a still developing infant born just under 32 weeks of gestation. The tiniest of all babies is a micro-preemie, born at under 25 weeks into a pregnancy and weighing about a pound.

Premature births carry high risks

According to the March of Dimes, the number one global cause of death in children under five years old is premature births. When infants are born prematurely, they can face health challenges affecting their brain, lungs, hearing or vision. Risk factors include being African-American, a teen mother, a woman over 35, and coming from a low-income background. World Prematurity Day raises our consciousness about these infants so that we provide better research for healthier pregnancies and babies.

World Prematurity Day dates