On World Prematurity Day on 15 November 2026, the focus in Bavaria is on the care of children born before their due date. The LMU University Hospital Munich has announced a family gathering for the day in Großhadern . At the same time, experts are highlighting the period after a hospital stay: children and parents may need support even after discharge.
Children born before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy are classed as premature. The effects of an early start vary. Many of these children develop healthily and without any problems. However, according to a guideline issued by medical associations, some face a higher risk of physical conditions or developmental disorders. These may include difficulties with the lungs, eyesight or hearing. Some impairments may persist into adolescence and adulthood.
According to the guideline, advances in medicine have improved the chances of survival for children born very prematurely. However, care does not necessarily end there. Supporting their development and identifying potential problems is a longer-term task. For families, the transition home also means finding their feet in a new daily routine after what has often been intensive hospital care.
In Bavaria, the follow-up care programme Harl.e.kin is intended to ease this transition. Children's hospitals and early intervention centres work together; according to the Bavarian information portal “Schwanger in Bayern”, the service is available at selected locations. It is aimed at families of premature babies and children at risk. At LMU University Hospital, experts from various disciplines also monitor children's development at its social paediatric centre, according to the hospital.
Bavaria also relies on networking to provide initial care after birth. On 13 November 2026, the Bavarian Health Ministry said that the telemedicine emergency service for newborns had by then been expanded across the state. According to the ministry, nine specialised regional centres and 21 maternity hospitals are involved. In emergencies, specialists in neonatal medicine can be brought in remotely. This is intended in particular to support hospitals in areas without a paediatrician on site.
An analysis by Techniker Krankenkasseon 12 November 2026 gave an indication of how common premature births are. It found that in 2025, 6.2 out of every 100 billed deliveries among its members had a diagnosis of premature birth; in 2021, the figure was 6.5. The figures are based on the insurer's claims data and do not directly describe all births in Germany. This comparison alone cannot establish a cause for the decline.
The awareness day has been observed on 15 November since 2025; previously, it fell on 17 November. According to the hospital's announcement, the gathering at the Großhadern campus in Munich is intended to bring families and professionals together.
Editor: Clara Simonichek (Article created with AI assistance).