International Conference to Focus on Suffering Caused by Millions of Newborn Deaths and Disabilities Each Year

WESTPORT, Conn. (April 21, 2009) — Every year around the world, more than three million stillbirths occur, and more than one million babies die because they were born preterm. Today, the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS) announced a collaborative effort with Save the Children, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, March of Dimes, PATH, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) to examine the causes of prematurity and stillbirth and identify and promote effective interventions.

These global health organizations will sponsor an invitation-only International Conference on Prematurity and Stillbirth, May 7–10, 2009, in Seattle, at which maternal, newborn and child health leaders will raise awareness of this immense global health burden, propose a roadmap for future research efforts and build a foundation for policy changes that support prevention and treatment globally. 

"Rich and poor countries have made remarkable progress over the past two decades in reducing child mortality around the world. Still, nearly four million newborns die each year. Many lives could be saved if we better understood how to prevent prematurity and stillbirth," said Charles MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children.

Comprehensive Review of Data to be Presented

GAPPS is conducting a comprehensive landscape review of published and unpublished data on premature birth and stillbirth research and interventions, which will inform the conference. The review, developed by an international team of investigators and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will be released post-conference. Globally, prematurity is the leading cause of deaths that occur in the first 28 days of life, according to The Lancet’s Neonatal Survival Series.

The Institute of Medicine estimates US healthcare costs associated with premature birth exceeded $26 billion in 2005. Premature babies who do survive often suffer serious health problems, such as cerebral palsy, brain injury, respiratory troubles and developmental problems. Despite the magnitude of these global health problems, prematurity and stillbirth have attracted remarkably little attention, and many causes remain a mystery.

Addressing Prematurity and Stillbirth Should Be Higher Priority

"We simply cannot accept the immense suffering of families affected by prematurity and stillbirths. We are proud to bring together the best minds in science, public health, research and policy to help stop these devastating health problems," said Craig Rubens, M.D., Ph.D., executive director of GAPPS, which was launched by Seattle Children's in 2007. "Seattle Children's made this one of our highest research priorities after we realized how many of our patients suffer from problems related to premature birth." Watch video about new research on prematurity and stillbirth with Dr. Rubens.

"There has not been enough attention given to preterm births and stillbirth," said Gary Darmstadt, M.D., M.S., interim deputy director, Integrated Health Solutions Development, and Strategic Planning Team Leader, Maternal Newborn Child Health, at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "By bringing together researchers, program managers and policy makers to contribute to the knowledge and understanding of these important global health issues, we hope to ensure that advances in health are created and delivered to the families who need them."

GAPPS formed a Scientific Advisory Council of high-level representatives from international health agencies and academic centers to guide conference planning. The council provides objective oversight to the reviews, analyses and conference program.

To learn more about the GAPPS initiative, visit www.gapps.org

Save the Children is the leading independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 27 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 110 countries.