Every two seconds, a child is born too soon. Behind every case is a deeply personal story that deserves to be heard. Preterm birth is not just a medical challenge; it’s a human one. A global campaign called Born Too Soon, coordinated by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH), has shown how storytelling can be a powerful tool to raise awareness and drive change.

Extremely low birth weight infants face a high risk of postnatal growth failure, which can impact long-term development. Fortifying human milk is a standard practice, but the best strategy for supporting optimal growth remains unclear.

Romania’s 2025 Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Marathon set a new national record with 1,606 hours of skin-to-skin contact in neonatal units across the country. Led by ARNIS, the campaign brought together parents, healthcare professionals, and hospitals to promote this life-saving practice for preterm and critically ill newborns. Discover how Romania is building a stronger future for its tiniest patients – one “prescribed” hug at a time.