Area of focus: preterm birth
Across Canada and the world, being born “too soon” or preterm is very likely to cause a baby to develop life-long diseases that may affect the heart, kidneys, lungs, intestines, immune system and brain. Even those babies who survive being born preterm without complications are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes as adults. Sunnybrook’s Centre for Preterm Birth is a world leader in improving outcomes for the sickest mothers and smallest babies, and leads in knowledge generation and translation. The Centre’s goal is the reduction of preterm birth in both Toronto and throughout Ontario. The Centre aims to reduce the preterm birth rate in Ontario by 15 per cent in five years. The impact will be reflected in improved outcomes, reduced cases of chronic lung disease, neurological disabilities, behavioral problems, hearing and vision problems, as well as better family outcomes and reduced societal burden and costs.
