The long-term consequences of preterm birth revealed

Amina was born three months early. Now she’s in the intensive care unit and her mother is at her side whenever possible. The chances that Amina will be discharged from the hospital in a few months are good. Modern medicine makes it possible for even extremely premature babies to survive - but when preemies grow up and reach adulthood, they often face problems. Take Lukas as an example. He’s now 27 and was born weighing just 515 grams. His survival was a minor miracle at the time. He now lives with physical challenges and works hard to keep his body strong and flexible. Ever since kindergarten, he and his parents have had to fight for recognition. They advocate awareness for the long-term effects of premature birth and hope for more understanding for those affected. A report by Axel Rowohlt.