A Word from the President

A Word from the President

Prematurity Awareness Month – November 2025

Dear Colleagues, Partners, and Advocates,

As we observe Prematurity Awareness Month, I extend my deepest appreciation to the global community working tirelessly to address the challenges of preterm birth. With over 15 million babies born prematurely each year, our mission—to prevent, understand, and treat prematurity— is both urgent and universal.

PREBIC was founded on the principle that international, interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to unravel the complex biological and social drivers of preterm birth. In 2025, our members have advanced critical research on multiple fronts including biomarkers, mechanisms and preventative therapeutics. These and other discoveries by PREBIC members and colleagues are shaping the future of maternal-fetal medicine and the prevention of prematurity.

We are excited to announce several upcoming events that reflect our commitment to global engagement and knowledge exchange:

• PREBIC North American Branch Webinar: November 17, 2025, from 2 to 5 PM ET
  Featuring emerging research and cross-disciplinary dialogue.
• African Federation of Maternal and Fetal Medicine–PREBIC Webinar: Preterm Birth: From Science to Care, hosted by the PREBIC Africa Branch, December 1, 2025, at 4 PM GMT, highlighting regional perspectives and translational strategies.
• PREBIC Global Workshop 2026 held conjointly with the BORNE foundation: May 7–10, 2026, Tangier, Morocco. Bringing together scientists, clinicians, and thought leaders to chart future innovations in prematurity research.

Understanding the cause of preterm birth leading to prematurity is a biological and social challenge. Disparities in care, maternal stress, and environmental exposures disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. PREBIC is committed to equity-driven research and amplifying voices from underrepresented regions worldwide.

I invite you to share your work, mentor emerging investigators, and advocate for policies that support maternal and neonatal health. Let us honor the families impacted by prematurity with action, compassion, and scientific rigor. Together, we can transform the narrative of premature birth from inevitability to preventability.

With gratitude and resolve,

Sam Mesiano
President,
Preterm Birth International Collaborative (PREBIC)