Romania lacks data on premature infant survival, contrasting sharply with European standards and other countries’ advanced care.
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The survival rate for newborns under 24 weeks globally is low, and Romania lacks a clear baseline understanding of its own situation regarding premature births. A report highlights the complex nature of prematurity; in the EU, only 4 out of 10 babies born at 24 weeks survive. In the US, even with advanced efforts, survival often comes with major complications. Romanian data is fragmented, with only the National Institute of Public Health tracking the number and gestational age of premature births, while survival rates are known only locally in maternity wards. Statistics show one in ten newborns in Romania is premature. Only 23 tertiary care maternity hospitals exist in Romania, which are among the best equipped. Neonatologists stress that insufficient Intensive Care Unit beds and inadequate staff, especially specialized nurses, pose major problems. The organization Save the Children has significantly improved infant mortality rates by investing millions in medical equipment across Romanian hospitals. However, a key obstacle is the geographical distribution of adequately equipped maternity wards. While countries like Spain boast high survival rates (over 95% for those born at 28 weeks or later) due to advanced technology and robust prenatal monitoring programs, Romania lags significantly behind, with healthcare spending per capita being half that of the EU average. Furthermore, there is no national registry for premature newborns. The article concludes by urging government attention to natal care and health funding if the nation wishes to survive.
