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Exhibition at the Neurocenter of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg provides insights into the lives of the very youngest children

When a child starts life too early, it needs special care. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, also known as the premature baby ward, takes care of these little citizens of the world. A photo exhibition, which starts on Friday, April 7, 2017, in the foyer of the Neurocenter at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg (Breisacher Str. 64, Freiburg), shows ten impressive pictures of premature babies who were treated in the neonatology unit at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg last year. The touching pictures by Freiburg photographer Britt Schilling show how high-performance medicine and loving care work hand in hand to ensure that even premature babies weighing around 330 grams can survive. In a display case, visitors can also see how small diapers and pacifiers are for premature babies, for example, as many medical products have to be specially made for the babies. The exhibition can be viewed until the end of May from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. and at weekends from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

"I am delighted that this exhibition will make the exciting work in neonatology and the admirable little people we are surrounded by every day visible to the public," said Prof. Dr. Roland Hentschel, Head of Neonatology at the Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. Due to the early start in life, some organs and skin are often not yet properly developed in premature babies, and they also find it difficult to breathe. They often have additional illnesses or malformations, which makes intensive medical treatment necessary. "The nursing staff in particular always manage to create an atmosphere of warmth and care on our ward. The sick newborns should feel safe and secure despite the highly technical equipment around them. This is the only way they can get well and gain weight," says Prof. Hentschel, explaining the basic principle of the work on the premature baby ward.

Around 1,800 children were born at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg last year. Of these, 90 were premature babies with a birth weight of less than 1,500 grams. Children are considered premature if they are born before the 37th week of pregnancy. They weigh between 330 and 2,500 grams. Normally, babies are in their mother's womb for 40 weeks and weigh around 3,500 grams at birth.

Caption: Impressive difference between small and large: A premature baby boy weighing around 500 grams reaches for the hand of his pediatric nurse.
Copyright: Medical Center - University of Freiburg/Britt Schilling

Contact for media enquiries:
Inga Schneider
Press and Public Relations Officer / Deputy Press Officer
Corporate Communications
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-20060
inga.schneider@uniklinik-freiburg.de