Download the Joint Statement
This International Joint Statement was reviewed and endorsed by the Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN), the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and the International Pediatric Association (IPA). This statement was also reviewed and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). This statement was developed by USAID’s Every Preemie-SCALE project and the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS).
Background
The Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN), the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and the International Pediatric Association (IPA) are the lead international professional organizations supporting global efforts to improve preterm birth outcomes. Their missions share common themes of improving the health of mothers and newborns worldwide, particularly for the most vulnerable, such as preterm newborns. Along with national professional organizations, these international professional organizations promote evidence-based, effective practice that can improve preterm birth outcomes around the world.Preterm babies are prone to serious illness or death during the intrapartum and neonatal period. With appropriate treatment and care, survival of preterm newborns can be improved, while reducing the risk of lifelong disability and poor quality of life. Complications of prematurity are the single largest cause of neonatal death and currently the leading cause of death among children under 5 years. Therefore, global efforts to reduce child mortality demand urgent action to address preterm birth.
Preterm babies are prone to serious illness or death during the intrapartum and neonatal period. With appropriate treatment and care, survival of preterm newborns can be improved, while reducing the risk of lifelong disability and poor quality of life. Complications of prematurity are the single largest cause of neonatal death and currently the leading cause of death among children under 5 years. Therefore, global efforts to reduce child mortality demand urgent action to address preterm birth.Based on
Based on review of the available evidence, the listed professional organizations agree that infant death and morbidity following preterm birth can be reduced when key interventions are applied within a continuum that integrates management of women at risk of imminent preterm birth with adequate postnatal care of preterm infants. Childbirth and newborn care are based on a foundation of essential maternal and newborn care, upon which specialized care is built to address complications as they arise. This joint statement affirms the commitment of professional organizations to implement World Health Assembly resolutions: the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (A69/A/CONF./2) and the Every Newborn Action Plan (WHA67.10).