Jakarta, hitclubapk3 Indonesia
—
Every year, as many as 675 thousand babies are born
premature
in Indonesia.This figure places Indonesia as a country with a large number
birth
the fifth highest number of preterm births in the world, a signal of how serious this problem is for children’s health.
At the global level, premature birth remains a major challenge and is even the main cause of death for children under the age of five.Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) records that around 15 million babies are born prematurely every year, and more than one million of them die from preventable complications.
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In the national context, the 2024 Indonesian Health Profile shows that around 26.4 percent of infant deaths occur in the neonatal period (0-28 days) and 22.5 percent in the post-neonatal period (29 days-11 months).Prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) babies are the biggest causes of this number.
Pediatrician, Neonatology Subspecialist at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Rinawati Rosiswatmo, said that it is very important to pay attention to babies even on the first day they are born.This is especially true for babies born prematurely.
“Premature baby care does not only focus on survival, but also on the quality of their growth and development. Proper nutritional intake from the first day really determines how the baby can survive and develop in the future,” said Rinawati in her statement, after attending a national seminar entitled “From Fragile Beginnings to Strong Futures: Advancing Nutrition for Premature Infants” held by RSCM with Nestlé Indonesia.
He explained that breast milk is the main source of nutrition for premature babies, and can be supplemented with human milk fortifier (HMF) to meet their special nutritional needs.If breast milk is not available, health workers can recommend donor breast milk that has gone through a screening process.
“If donor breast milk is not possible, then processed foods for special medical purposes are used, of course those that have been clinically tested and supported by scientific publications,” he said.
Not only nutritional problems, premature babies also need a more comprehensive range of support.Pediatric Growth and Development Specialist at RSCM, Bernie Endyarni Medise, highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach when caring for babies, especially premature babies.
“Premature and LBW babies require comprehensive attention, not only from a medical perspective, but also from family emotional support, stimulation and ongoing nutritional intake,” said Bernie.
He emphasized that the role of health workers is very crucial in educating and accompanying parents so that the growth and development process runs optimally.
“The right intervention, starting from intensive care, optimal nutrition, to family support, children born prematurely still have the opportunity to grow strong and healthy, far from being as fragile as when they first started life,” he said.
(tis/tis)
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