Every year on November 17, the world observes World Prematurity Day. This date is intended to raise public awareness about premature birth and draw attention to the challenges faced by preterm infants and their families.
The scale of the problem in numbers:
· According to the WHO, about 15 million premature babies are born worldwide each year.
· In 2020, the proportion of such infants ranged from 4% to 16% in different countries.
One of the most serious complications is retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
This disease is associated with the immaturity of the retina and, without timely intervention, can lead to retinal detachment, blindness, and disability.
Kursk Region’s success in combating ROP:
Thanks to the implementation of a modern three-level screening and treatment system, the region has achieved significant results:
✅ A 2.3-fold reduction in visual disability compared to 2017–2018.
✅ The indicators for this pathology in 2024 (around 7%) are lower than the national average in Russia.
Important: All children with a history of retinopathy require lifelong follow-up by an ophthalmologist, especially during the critical period — up to 18 years old.
Scientific contribution of KSMU:
Research, analysis of screening results, and assessment of the prevalence of visual disorders among premature infants are key scientific and practical directions of the Department of Ophthalmology at Kursk State Medical University.