Sri Lanka, Aug. 18 -- Around 75% of child deaths below 5 years in Sri Lanka, occur during the first four weeks (28 days) of life (Neonatal deaths). Of the neonatal deaths, more than one-third are due to preterm births, the leading cause of death, National Program Manager, Maternal and Child Health Surveillance, Dr Kapila Jayaratne told the Sunday Observer.
He said that "ideally a baby should be in utero (womb) for forty weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks or earlier are called preterm births. Every year around 26,000 babies are born preterm in Sri Lanka. Preterm babies are prone to many consequences including mortality." Pre term births burden the health system, families and society not only by the significant number of deaths but also due ...