Some premature babies or sick newborns may have to remain in the special baby unit for several weeks or even months. Many of these babies may need help with:

Breathing: premature babies may need to be given oxygen or drug treatments to help their lungs work properly, and sometimes a ventilator may be necessary.

Feeding: many premature babies cannot suck adequately and need to be fed through a tube into their stomach or into a vein.

Keeping warm: tiny babies are at risk of developing hypothermia and need help to maintain a constant body temperature.

Fighting infection: an immature immune system means that these babies are particularly vulnerable to infections.

Valuable progress has been made in our ability to care for these conditions but a significant proportion of those who arrive very early are more severely affected. They are at risk of suffering:

Brain injuries: One of the serious complications of premature birth is bleeding into the ventricles of the brain; this affects approximately 1 in 7 of all pre-term infants. This can cause hydrocephalus (water on the brain), which often results in cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities and affects several hundred babies a year in the UK.

Breathing problems: Because of underdeveloped lungs, breathing problems are common and 1 in 4 premature babies develop chronic lung disease.

Visual problems: Retinopathy of prematurity is the main cause of blindness among infants in the Western World and affects 1 in 20 premature babies.

Hearing loss: Approximately 1 in 50 premature babies suffer some loss of hearing but the cause is not understood.

Growth and development: Childhood development may be delayed.

As a forward-thinking charity, Action Medical Research is creating a healthier future for everyone. Although we will still fund work into a wide range of diseases and conditions affecting all age groups, Touching Tiny Lives will give extra impetus towards solving the problems of pregnancy, childbirth and the early years.

Go to the get involved or giving sections to find out how you can help, or make a donation now.