One in ten children in Germany is born prematurely—that’s about 65,000 babies per year. For many families in Rüsselsheim, the Groß-Gerau district, and the entire region, the GPR Klinikum is the first place they turn to when a baby has a difficult start in life. Thanks to medical advances, survival rates have improved significantly, but the start of life remains a major challenge for many premature babies and their families.
“We want to show that here at the GPR Klinikum, we’re here for the littlest ones—with medical expertise and a whole lot of heart,” says Dr. Christiane Wiethoff, chief physician of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. “The purple lighting is meant to encourage families and raise awareness of the challenges that come with having a premature baby.”
Premature babies often have to fight for every breath in the very first days of life. Their organ systems are not yet fully developed, and their immune systems are weak—which makes specialized medical care all the more important.
“Premature babies are little fighters,” emphasizes Dr. Christiane Wiethoff. “We support them and their families every step of the way—from the first critical days until they are discharged home. Our mission is to give these children the best possible start in life—with modern medicine, a wealth of experience, and even more compassion.”
The GPR Clinic specializes in the care of premature infants born at or after the 32nd week of gestation or with a birth weight of 1,500 grams. The close collaboration between the Obstetrics Clinic and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine ensures optimal care for both mother and child.
For Managing Director Achim Neyer, World Prematurity Day is also an occasion to highlight the hospital’s special significance for the region: “The GPR Clinic is a cornerstone of healthcare for Rüsselsheim and the surrounding area,” says Neyer. “We combine top-notch medical care with a personal touch—especially for our smallest patients. That is what it means to take responsibility for our region.”
Background
: November 17 was designated as World Prematurity Day at the first European Parents’ Group Meeting, initiated by the EFCNI (European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants), held on November 18, 2008, in Rome. This date holds very special significance for one of the founders of the EFCNI. After losing premature triplets in December 2006, he became the father of a healthy daughter on November 17, 2008. While searching for a suitable date for Preemie Day, the parent group representatives therefore quickly agreed on this significant day, which—after all the suffering they had endured—must surely have been a day of hope and joy for the new parents.