Wir überwinden Grenzen

On Friday, November 17, the Center for Pediatrics of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg invites you to the library of the University Women's Hospital for an insight into neonatology / There will also be play activities for children

Under the motto "Premature babies - we are here for you!", the Medical Center - University of Freiburg invites you to this year's World Premature Babies' Day on Friday, November 17, 2023. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the library of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hugstetter Str. 55 in Freiburg, the Center for Pediatrics offers space for discussions, insights into the work in neonatology and many playful activities on the topic of prematurity. Admission is free and registration is not required.

Among other things, visitors will get a close-up look at a real incubator with all the medical equipment on a neonatal intensive care unit. Numerous experts are available for questions and discussions. Children can have their cuddly toys cared for in a small version of the popular teddy bear hospital run by the Open Medical Student Council. There will also be the opportunity for children to have their faces professionally painted. The Frühchenverein Freiburg e.V. will also be represented with an information stand. Coffee, cold drinks and freshly baked waffles will be available.

"With this day, we want to raise awareness of the needs of premature babies and their families and provide an insight into our important, highly specialized work. Premature babies need the best medical care at the Center and their families need great emotional support on their journey into life," says Prof. Dr. Hans Fuchs, Medical Director of Neonatology at the Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

Specialized treatment centre

In Germany, more than 60,000 children are born prematurely every year. This means that every tenth child is born before the 37th week of pregnancy. Depending on how many weeks prematurely it is born, a premature baby can only breathe, drink and maintain its body temperature to a limited extent or not at all. It must therefore be given intensive medical care as quickly as possible and receives the necessary care in an incubator.

The Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care Section of the Department of General Pediatrics and Gynecology and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg are certified as a Level I perinatal center and are therefore a specialized treatment center for extremely premature babies. The neonatal intensive care unit "Eckstein" with 17 beds is located in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is connected to the delivery room, the maternity ward and the maternity ward. Almost 500 newborns were treated there last year. Once the premature babies are in stable health, they are cared for in the "Camerer" infant ward in the Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and prepared for discharge.