Rela Hospital Celebrates World Prematurity Day with Over 50 Preterm Babies and Families
Chennai: Rela Hospital commemorated World Prematurity Day 2025 by hosting a heartwarming reunion of more than 50 preterm babies and their families, spotlighting remarkable stories of survival and growth. The children, some born as early as 25 weeks and weighing just 600 grams, have now caught up developmentally with their peers — a testament to the power of advanced neonatal care.
The event, held at the hospital premises, aimed to raise awareness about prematurity and the importance of timely, expert intervention. Actor Ravi Mohan graced the occasion as chief guest, joining parents in sharing their journeys through neonatal challenges. The gathering was presided over by Prof. Mohamed Rela, Chairman, Rela Hospital, and attended by senior paediatric and neonatology specialists including Dr. Naresh Shanmugam, Dr. Velmurugan Kannappan, and Dr. M. P. Venkatesh.
“Prematurity is a growing public health concern,” said Prof. Rela. “Complications from preterm birth remain the leading cause of death in children under five. But with today’s medical advancements, even babies born at 25 weeks can survive and thrive. We’ve moved from saving six out of ten to nearly all preterm babies — parents should seek treatment with confidence.”
Dr. Velmurugan Kannappan highlighted that India sees nearly 3.5 million premature births annually, with NFHS-5 data indicating 13% of children are born preterm and 17% with low birth weight. He attributed rising incidence rates to maternal stress, poor nutrition, and unmanaged health conditions like diabetes and hypertension. “Regular antenatal checkups are key to prevention,” he noted.
Addressing the medical complexities, Dr. Kannappan explained that preterm babies face risks such as brain haemorrhage, digestive challenges, and underdeveloped immunity and organs. “Despite these hurdles, with the right expertise and equipment, we can ensure healthy outcomes,” he said.
Rela Hospital’s 15-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is equipped to handle a full spectrum of prematurity-related complications, offering both advanced treatment and counselling for at-risk mothers. Over the past seven years, the hospital has successfully delivered and cared for more than 500 preterm babies.
World Prematurity Day, observed globally on November 17, draws attention to the 13–15 million babies born prematurely each year — nearly one in ten births worldwide.
