Premature infant
Alternate Names : Preterm infant, Preemie, Premie
Definition
A premature infant is a baby born before 37 weeks gestation.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
At birth, a baby is classified as one of the following: - Premature (less than 37 weeks gestation)
- Full term (37 to 42 weeks gestation)
- Post term (born after 42 weeks gestation)
If a woman goes into labor before 37 weeks, it is called preterm labor. Often, the cause of preterm labor is unknown. Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.) makes up about 15% of all premature births.
Health conditions and events in the mother may contribute to preterm labor. Examples are: - Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Infection (such as a urinary tract infection or infection of the amniotic membrane)
- Kidney disease
Different pregnancy-related problems increase the risk of preterm labor: - An "insufficient" or weakened cervix, also called cervical incompetence
- Birth defects of the uterus
- History of preterm delivery
- Poor nutrition right before or during pregnancy
- Preeclampsia -- the development of high blood pressure and protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy
- Premature rupture of the membranes (placenta previa)
Other factors that make preterm labor and a premature delivery more likely include: - African-American ethnicity (not related to socioeconomic status)
- Age (younger than 16 or older than 35)
- Lack of prenatal care
- Low socioeconomic status
- Use of tobacco, cocaine, or amphetamines
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