Newborn Health at FIGO 2012 - join us

Are you attending the 20^th FIGO Congress in Rome? Join us for 3 dynamic sessions discussing newborn health.

STILLBIRTHS

Every day, more than 7,300 babies are stillborn— the death of a baby at 28 weeks’ gestation or more. Although 98% of these deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries, stillbirths continue to affect high-income nations, where around 1 in every 300 babies is stillborn.

The Lancet’s Stillbirths Series provides the first comprehensive estimates of global and national stillbirth rates and trends, highlighting this hidden tragedy, and explores cost-effective interventions to prevent stillbirths, maternal & neonatal deaths.

Come hear from the authors as they present the extensive research and analysis published in The Lancet’s Stillbirths Series and discuss progress towards the goals and actions set out in the series.

INTRAPARTUM-RELATED DEATHS

Each year, around 2 million deaths occur at the time of birth - 717,000 intrapartum-related newborn deaths (“birth asphyxia”), 1.2 million intrapartum stillbirths, and a significant proportion of the world’s 287,000 maternal deaths – making birth the time of greatest risk for death. Of the world’s 135 million births, 50 million still occur outside health facilities.

The IJGO supplement, “Intrapartum-related deaths: Evidence for action” provides a systematic review of evidence for action to reduce intrapartum-related deaths.

Only 1 of every 8 babies born has access to neonatal resuscitation. The Helping Babies Breathe Global Development Alliance, launched by USAID, is a public-private partnership to accelerate the scale up of a simplified neonatal resuscitation package.Johnson & Johnson has organized a symposium to present an overview of Helping Babies Breathe.

COMPLICATIONS OF PRETERM BIRTH

Over 1 million newborns die of complications from prematurity making it the second leading cause of child deaths. Each year, 15 million babies are born preterm, more than 1 in 10 of all babies born around the world.

Born Too Soon provides the first-ever country-level estimates for preterm birth in 184 countries. The report shows that preterm birth rates are on the rise in most countries, and identifies priority actions for everyone – including the role of obstetricians in the prevention of preterm births and care for premature babies. Rapid change is possible.

Authors from Argentina, Pakistan, South Africa, the USA and UK will present their findings and the role of obstetricians in the prevention of preterm births and care for premature babies.

Unable to make it? Follow the conversation on twitter @HealthyNewborns and #FIGO2012.