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Dear friends and supporters of GFCNI,
As we reflect on this year’s World Prematurity Day (WPD), I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our global community for making WPD 2025 so meaningful. Your dedication, creativity, and compassion resonated across more than 100 countries, demonstrating once again what we can achieve together. It was also a privilege to take part in the international summit in Vilnius, hosted by our partner parent organization Neišnešiotukas, which brought together representatives from WHO Europe, the OECD, the European Commission, and First Ladies and Gentlemen from several European countries.
This year marked another important milestone: the 10th anniversary of our German-language campaign “Strong Start for Little Heroes.” Neonatal units across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland once again showed extraordinary commitment to supporting families and raising awareness. Thank you for a decade of unwavering engagement.
We are also continuing to recruit participants for the BronQ Family Study, which seeks to deepen our understanding of the long-term impact of BPD on preterm children and their families. Your help in sharing this opportunity is greatly appreciated and will support more families in contributing to this important work.
Thank you for your continued support of GFCNI.
With warm regards,
Silke Mader and the GFCNI team
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© GFCNI
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A STRONG START FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE
Celebrating World Prematurity Day 2025 Worldwide
From glowing purple landmarks to heartfelt community gatherings, and from inspiring artwork to purple-themed treats, World Prematurity Day 2025 touched hearts across more than 100 countries. This year marked a milestone: for the first time, the World Health Assembly officially included World Prematurity Day in its calendar. This historic WHO endorsement represents a major step forward, urging governments worldwide to prioritize preterm birth within national health agendas. The global movement carried a powerful message – “Give preterm babies a strong start for a brighter future” – and your dedication and compassion made that message shine. Thank you for standing with us, raising your voices, and making a difference for preemies everywhere.
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© GFCNI
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STRONG START FOR LITTLE HEROES
Join Our Anniversary Thank-You Initiative to Win Prizes for Your Neonatal Unit
This year, we proudly celebrate 10 years of the “Strong Start for Little Heroes” campaign. Over the past decade, neonatal units across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have shown extraordinary commitment to raising awareness about preterm birth and supporting families of preterm babies. Once again, in this anniversary year, neonatal units organized creative and heartfelt activities for World Prematurity Day 2025, helping to highlight the challenges of preterm birth and the strength of affected families. We extend our warmest thanks for your long-standing engagement. To mark this milestone, our anniversary thank-you initiative remains open until December 15. Please note that this campaign is conducted in German. We wish all participants the best of luck!
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© GFCNI
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UNITED FOR RSV PREVENTION
A Global Call to Protect Newborns and Elderly
During GFCNI’s multi-day Policy & Advocacy Training in October, parent and patient representatives from across our network joined forces to strengthen their advocacy skills and deepen their understanding of RSV prevention. Their collaboration culminated in a new global policy statement, released during RSV Awareness Week, outlining seven urgent action areas – from standardized immunization protocols to coordinated awareness efforts – to protect society’s most vulnerable. The message is clear: the time for unified global action is now. We cannot wait for another season of preventable suffering. Learn more about the policy statement and the call for worldwide action.
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© GFCNI
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BRONQ FAMILY RESEARCH PROJECT
Preemie Parents and Caregivers Needed for Study
The BronQ Family Study is an international research project exploring the long-term impact of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) on children born preterm and their families. We are seeking parents and primary caregivers of preterm children under 18 years of age to participate in a confidential online survey. By capturing families’ lived experiences, the study aims to identify the unique challenges associated with BPD and better understand their effects on quality of life, emotional well-being, and daily life. Help us shape better care for families affected by BPD by sharing this invitation so that we may reach as many families as possible!
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© justnews.pt
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OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP
Celebrating a Lifetime of Dedication to Neonatal and Pediatric Care
Professor Hercília Guimarães, Honorary Member of GFCNI’s Trustee Board, has been honored with the “Prémio Carreira” 2025 by the Portuguese Society of Pediatrics (SPP). This prestigious lifetime achievement award recognizes her outstanding contributions to pediatrics and neonatology, both in Portugal and beyond. Throughout her distinguished career, Professor Guimarães has advanced neonatal intensive care, promoted family-centered practices, and inspired generations of clinicians and researchers dedicated to improving outcomes for newborns and their families. More information on the award (in Portuguese) is available on the SPP website.
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© Fondation Sana
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PARENT LEADERSHIP
Recognizing Exceptional Commitment to Family Support in Neonatal Care
Dina Hediger, Founder of “Frühchen & Neokinder Schweiz” (“Preemies and NICU Babies Switzerland”) and member of GFCNI’s international parent network, has been honored with the Prix Sana 2025 by Fondation Sana. The award recognizes individuals who make an extraordinary contribution to strengthening healthcare and addressing care gaps in Switzerland. Under Dina Hediger’s leadership, “Frühchen & Neokinder Schweiz” has built a strong peer and expert support network for families of preterm and sick newborns, advancing awareness, collaboration, and family-centered care across the country. More information on the award (in German) is available on Fondation Sana’s website.
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© Neišnešiotukas
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GLOBAL ADVOCACY
Growing Europe: Vilnius Summit to Advance Newborn Health
On this World Prematurity Day, our partner parent organization in Lithuania, the Premature Baby Association “Neišnešiotukas,” spearheaded and hosted a historic summit in Vilnius to promote newborn health across Europe. The “Growing Europe” First Ladies’ Summit brought together political leaders, health experts, and NGOs to discuss Europe’s demographic crisis and the pressing need to strengthen support for families and vulnerable newborns. The event culminated in a joint Call to Action, urging Europe to invest in high-quality neonatal care, integrate maternal and newborn health into demographic strategies, and accelerate the adoption of the European Standards of Care for Newborn Health. GFCNI Chairwoman Silke Mader was among the speakers and contributed key insights into the importance of parental involvement and equitable, evidence-based care in shaping Europe’s future.
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© Lancet
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KANGAROO MOTHER CARE (KMC)
New Lancet Publication Reinforces Urgent Need for Scaled-Up KMC
A new Lancet article underscores how Kangaroo Mother Care – continuous skin-to-skin contact combined with breastfeeding support – can substantially reduce newborn deaths, yet remains underused worldwide. As a co-author, GFCNI Chairwoman Silke Mader helped translate evidence into practical guidance aimed at closing persistent gaps in KMC implementation and ensuring broader access to this life-saving intervention.
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© WHO
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KANGAROO MOTHER CARE (KMC)
WHO Issues Updated Global KMC Practice Guide
Building on new scientific evidence, the WHO has released updated global guidelines to support the adoption and expansion of Kangaroo Mother Care within health systems. GFCNI Chairwoman Silke Mader contributed to this work as part of the international KMC Practice Guide Working Group. Together with the recent Lancet publication, these guidelines provide a unified roadmap to help ensure more preterm and low-birthweight babies benefit from this proven, life-saving care.
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© Pexels
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FAMILY INTEGRATED CARE
Understanding Barriers and Enablers of Family Integrated Care in NICUs
A new systematic review examines how healthcare professionals perceive the barriers and facilitators of Family Integrated Care (FICare) in neonatal units. Drawing on 37 qualitative and mixed-method studies across several countries, the review shows that while staff strongly value FICare, implementation remains inconsistent. Emotional demands, professional identity, limited space for families, and resource constraints often hinder consistent practice. At the same time, education, team support, and clear leadership emerged as key enablers. The findings underscore that FICare succeeds when staff are equipped, environments are supportive, and hospitals adopt policies that fully recognize parents as essential partners in newborn care.
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FAMILY-CENTERED DEVELOPMENTAL CARE
Family-Centered Care Linked to Shorter Hospital Stays
A quality improvement project at a district hospital in Nepal found that infant- and family-centered developmental care (IFCDC) can significantly shorten hospital stays for preterm and low birth weight infants. By encouraging parental involvement in daily caregiving, prioritizing early skin-to-skin contact, and adapting discharge criteria, the hospital reduced the average length of stay from 10.5 days to 8 days. The proportion of infants receiving Kangaroo Mother Care within 48 hours also reached 100%. The findings show that empowering parents not only supports infant development and bonding but also strengthens care delivery in resource-limited neonatal units.
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© Shutterstock
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ADVANCING NEWBORN CARE STANDARDS
Family Integrated Care Advances Toward Global Standards
A new review highlights Family Integrated Care (FICare) as a safe and effective model that strengthens newborn health outcomes worldwide. By positioning parents as active members of the care team, FICare improves infant growth, feeding, and development while reducing parental stress and enhancing confidence. The evidence shows consistent benefits across diverse settings – from Canada and Europe to China, the United States, and Uganda – and demonstrates that the model can be applied to both stable and critically ill infants. As countries work toward more equitable and family-centered neonatal care, FICare offers a unifying framework for global standards in newborn health.
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