The day a premature baby is born is the most dangerous of its life. That’s when the risk of death and disability is greatest. But doctors around the world are working to help more babies survive that day.
Of the 15m premature babies born every year around the world, one million will die.
Babies born too soon are vulnerable to infection and breathing can be difficult because of their underdeveloped lungs.
It’s not always fully understood why babies are born early – but things which increase the likelihood include the age of the mother, some infections and if the woman has already had a premature baby.