Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to recognise World Prematurity Day, marked each year on 17 November, and to acknowledge the extraordinary work of Australia's researchers, particularly those in my home state of South Australia, who are leading the world in both the prevention of, and improving outcomes for, preterm birth through their research.

Each year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide. More than one million of these babies won't survive. Many face lifelong health and developmental challenges. In Australia, up to 25,000 babies are born preterm every single year. Babies born too soon are more likely to spend weeks or months in hospital and face ongoing health challenges with their respiratory, immune and digestive systems. They're at greater risk of difficulties with speech, learning and behaviour. And, globally, complications from preterm birth remain the leading cause of death in children under five. We simply must be doing more to support preterm babies and their families and to prevent preterm births from happening in the first place. And awareness matters too, but only when it leads to change.

Today I want to acknowledge the extraordinary researchers in my home state who are at the forefront of driving this change. In particular, I want to acknowledge the incredible team at SAHMRI, whose landmark research has shown that targeted omega-3 supplementation can reduce early preterm births. This has led to the development and implementation of the Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program, delivered in partnership with SA Pathology, where, as part of routine prenatal care in South Australia, pregnant women can have their omega-3 levels tested before 20-weeks gestation. Of the thousands of women who have been tested, around 17 per cent have been identified as having low omega-3 levels and may benefit from supplementation. This intervention is simple, cost effective and safe for bub and mum, and it's the first program of its kind anywhere in the world. More than 32,000 women in South Australia have accessed this program. Just imagine the impact it could have if we were to scale it to a national level or, indeed, to an international level.

I also want to shout-out the Centre of Research Excellence in Human Milk Nutrition for Preterm Infants and Alice Rumbold, in particular, who recently briefed me on their work. This national program focuses on improving breastfeeding outcomes and donor milk use for the most vulnerable newborns. Their research shows that even small increases in breast milk intake during neonatal hospitalisation can improve cognitive outcomes later in childhood. I know not every mum has the option to breastfeed, but, for those who can or for those who can access a supply of donor breast milk, we know human milk feeding has an enduring impact on the lives of children born preterm. The CRE is developing new resources for families and clinicians, conducting world-class trials and supporting a new generation of researchers who are dedicating their lives to the lives of preterm babies. None of this would be possible, of course, without support from the NHMRC and the Medical Research Future Fund.

As a South Australian, I am so proud of these researchers, clinicians, nurses and all of those families who are part of this effort. Their dedication is saving lives, and this research and this work has the potential to do so much more good across Australia and our world. On World Prematurity Day and every day, we honour the babies born too soon, the families who walk this journey with strength and courage and the researchers who devote their professional lives to ensuring that babies arrive safely and to ensuring that babies can thrive.