Civil Hospital promotes awareness about prematurity; 20% of babies are born prematurely

El Civil Hospital of Guadalajara (HGC) will commemorate the World Prematurity DayOn November 17th, a day will be dedicated to mothers, fathers, and medical personnel in order to to raise awareness about the challenges and impact of premature birth and to promote a better start for newborns.

The Head of the Neonatology Service at the Old HCG “Fray Antonio Alcalde”, Dr. Luis Guillermo Rejón Estrada, reported that the birth of a premature person is one that She did not reach 40 weeks of gestation.. “It is a condition where their organs did not mature properly and needs support in this transition"He said.

It is a global problem, according to Rejón Estrada, that requires his visibility and dissemination among the new families to support both patients and their families.

“From their first steps, with the specific and necessary care and, with the proper follow-up, "We can integrate these people into society in an appropriate way and help families with their concerns and fears about these types of patients who require specific care," explained Rejón Estrada.

The Head of the Neonatology Service at the New HCG “Dr. Juan I. Menchaca”, Dr. Ender Emanuel Izaguirre Navas, highlighted that between 20 to 21 percent of premature babies, a condition that involves risks.

“If a baby is born before 37 weeks, we consider it a premature baby. But these premature babies can be classified, and most babies born, for example, with Those under 29 weeks are at the highest risk“,” Dr. Izaguirre Navas explained. 

These individuals present neurological impairments ranging from paralysis to learning and socialization problems.; respiratory problems, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia with respiratory infections; allergies, ophthalmological problems, among others. 

Dr. Laura López Vargas, attached to the Neonatology Service of the Old HCG “Fray Antonio Alcalde”, highlighted the compliance with the health care policy called “The first thousand days”, that begin from the start of gestation. 

“We strive for a healthy state from the first and second year of life, which are important because they have a impact on the growth and neurodevelopment of every human being when they are an adult“,” shared López Mariscal.

He emphasized that the globally recognized practice for the care of premature newborns is the “Kangaroo technique”, which is carried out in conjunction with intensive therapy and seeks the greatest contact between mother and newborn for the brain modulation of premature infants. 

Under the slogan "Let's give premature babies a good start to a brighter future.” which urges urgent action to improve the health and well-being of premature babies from the outset, will take place today. 

Dr. Mary Buhya Varela Busaka, attached to the Intermediate Care Unit of the New HCG “Dr. Juan I. Menchaca”, announced the activities for parents and medical staff.

“What we intend is to raise awareness and make visible this problem that we are aware that It affects not only the premature infant, but the entire family, "And with that intention we have prepared the activities," he said. 

On HCG “Dr. Juan I. Menchaca” The activities began on November 10th and continued until Friday, November 14th with presentations on physiotherapy for premature infants; optimization of interventions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU); relactation; general awareness of prematurity; neurodevelopment in premature infants; in addition to workshops on kangaroo mother care, physiotherapy, thanatology of premature infants and first aid. 

The activities in the HCG “Fray Antonio Alcalde” They will take place from November 18 to 21, and include the workshop “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”; activities with the parents and families of premature patients; PREMATOUR, and the costume parade in the Neonatology and Pediatrics services.

This day is represented by a clothesline with ten purple socks, one of which is smallerOne in ten births worldwide is premature. The color purple represents hope and courage.

World Prematurity Day, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO),  It will be held under the motto “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures”, which reflects the mission to ensure that every premature baby has the best possible start in life.

Attentively 
"Piensa y Trabaja"
“1925-2025. A Century of Thinking and Working”
Guadalajara, Jalisco, November 10, 2025

Text: Press UdeG
Photography: Marcos Moisés Gómez Alcaraz