Preterm birth is a leading cause of death among children under 5, with an estimated 15 million babies (1 in 10) born prematurely worldwide every year. World Prematurity Day, observed annually on Nov. 17, raises awareness of the challenges premature babies and their families face as well as celebrates the lives of babies born prematurely.
At Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, we are proud to provide lifesaving care for premature and sick newborns at our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The only one of its kind in the region, our Level IV NICU provides the highest level of intensive care and our team is capable of providing exceptional, lifesaving care to the smallest and sickest babies, like twins Landon and Madison (Maddy) Pauline.
Born at 26 weeks and four days, the twins were extremely premature, each weighing just a little over 2 pounds. Thanks to the care they received at the Children’s Hospital’s NICU, both Maddy and Landon had a fighting chance and are now healthy as can be and absolutely thriving.