A situation in which something occurs before the expected or desirable time.
The state of an infant born any time prior to completion of the 37th week of gestation. The normal gestation period for the human being is 40 weeks. Because of the difficulty of obtaining accurate and objective data on the exact length of gestation, a birth weight of 2500 g (5.5 lb) or less has been accepted internationally as the clinical criterion of prematurity regardless of the period of gestation. Other measures suggestive of prematurity are crown-heel length (47 cm or less), crown-rump length (32 cm or less), occipitofrontal circumference (33 cm or less), occipitofrontal diameter (11.5 cm or less), and ratio of the thorax circumference to the head circumference (less than 93%).
A premature birth refers to the delivery of a baby before completing 37 weeks of gestation. Such a premature infant might not have reached a level of development conducive to managing life independently, necessitating specialized care.
Close to 50 percent of premature births transpire without a clear underlying cause. The remaining cases are attributed to conditions like pre-eclampsia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and heart disease. Additional factors encompass antepartum hemorrhage, intrauterine infection, or the premature rupture of membranes. Another prevalent factor leading to premature birth is the occurrence of multiple pregnancies.
A premature newborn is smaller in size compared to a baby born at full term. They possess less subcutaneous fat, are adorned with fine hair known as lanugo, and exhibit notably thin skin.
The baby’s internal organs are not fully mature either. The primary complication arises in the form of respiratory distress syndrome, which may emerge due to underdeveloped lungs. Additionally, there are heightened risks of brain hemorrhage, jaundice, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The infant’s capacity to suck and regulate a normal body temperature is limited, and susceptibility to infections is elevated due to an immature immune system. The extent of these challenges tends to increase the earlier the baby is born.
Preterm babies typically receive care within a specialized neonatal unit designed for intensive treatment. The infant is situated within an incubator. They might require mechanical ventilation to aid in breathing, receive nourishment artificially through a stomach tube or intravenous route, and undergo therapy involving antibiotics as well as iron and vitamin supplements. Generally, the baby remains in the hospital until they attain a weight of at least 2.25 kg, exhibit satisfactory growth, and demonstrate successful feeding.
Thanks to contemporary methods widely accessible today, certain infants manage to survive despite being born as early as 24 weeks into gestation. The majority of babies born after the 28th week, coupled with specialized care, achieve survival. The majority of premature infants successfully catch up to their full-term counterparts in terms of developmental milestones before concluding their first year.