Rela Hospital Commemorates World Prematurity Day, Uniting 50+ Preterm Infants and Families
Chennai, November 19, 2025: Rela Hospital marked World Prematurity Day 2025 with a special gathering of over 50 preterm babies and their families, many of whom were born as early as 25 weeks and weighed as little as 600 grams. The event highlighted that with advanced neonatal intensive care, even the most vulnerable newborns can survive and thrive.
Actor Mr. Ravi Mohan attended as the chief guest. Parents of preterm babies shared their experiences, and the function was presided over by Prof. Mohamed Rela, Chairman of Rela Hospital, along with Dr. Naresh Shanmugam, Director – Women and Child Health; Dr. Velmurugan Kannappan, Senior Consultant – Neonatologist and Paediatrician; Dr. M. P. Venkatesh, Clinical Lead – General Paediatrics; and the NICU expert team.
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According to the World Health Organization, prematurity refers to babies born before 37 weeks of gestation. World Prematurity Day, observed on November 17, raises awareness about the challenges faced by premature infants. Globally, 13–15 million babies—about 1 in 10—are born prematurely each year.
Prof. Rela said, “Prematurity has become a major public health concern. Complications from preterm birth remain the leading cause of death in children under five. But with today’s science, technology, and expertise, even babies born at 25 weeks can grow into healthy adults. Earlier, we saved six or seven out of ten preterm babies; now we save nearly all. Parents should approach treatment with confidence.”
Speaking on incidence and causes, Dr. Velmurugan Kannappan noted that NFHS-5 data shows 13% of Indian children are born prematurely and 17% have low birth weight—nearly 3.5 million premature births annually. He attributed the rise to work-related stress, poor nutrition, and inadequate management of diabetes, hypertension, and other maternal conditions, stressing the importance of regular antenatal check-ups.
He explained that preterm babies face three critical challenges: fragile brain vessels leading to intraventricular haemorrhage, an immature gut that struggles even with mother’s milk, and a severely underdeveloped immune system alongside immature organs such as the lungs and heart. “With the right expertise, medicines, and equipment, we can manage these complications and ensure healthy outcomes,” he added.
Rela Hospital houses a 15-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit capable of handling all prematurity-related complications, from primary neonatal care to advanced cardiac and ventilatory support. The hospital also provides counselling for mothers at risk of extremely premature delivery and has cared for over 500 preterm babies in the past seven years.
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