The World Health Organization marked its first official World Prematurity Day by releasing a global clinical practice guide on Kangaroo Mother Care. This proven intervention combines prolonged skin-to-skin contact and breast milk feeding and is known to significantly improve survival and long-term health outcomes for preterm and low birth weight babies. Preterm birth affects an estimated 15 million babies every year and remains the leading cause of death among children under five. The survival gap between low- and high-income countries is stark, yet KMC is feasible, cost-effective, and beneficial in all settings.
Evidence shows that KMC reduces newborn deaths by more than thirty percent, decreases hypothermia by nearly seventy percent, and lowers the risk of severe infections. It also contributes to better weight gain and improved cognitive development. The new WHO guide provides…
