Prematurity: Historically, the definition of prematurity was 2500 grams (about 5 1/2 pounds) or less

at birth. The current World Health Organization definition of prematurity is a baby born before 37
weeks of gestation, counting from the first day of the Last Menstrual Period (LMP).


A premature birth is one that takes place beIore 37 weeks oI gestation, three weeks or more beIore the baby's due
date. Premature babies can develop a range oI health problems, which are more severe the younger the baby is when
he is born. In some cases, the cause oI preterm labor and premature birth is unknown, but a Iew risk Iactors and
health issues can lead to a premature baby.
Multiple Babies
A mother carrying twins, triplets or more is at increased risk Ior preterm labor and premature birth. This may be the
result oI an overstretching oI the uterus, which leaves the mother unable to carry the babies to term.
Lifestyle
Some liIestyle choices are linked to premature birth. Smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs during pregnancy
can all lead to premature birth. Poor nutrition, poor prenatal care and extreme stress are other liIestyle Iactors that
contribute to babies being born too early, according to KidsHealth.
nfections
According to the March oI Dimes, there is evidence that some types oI inIections in the amniotic Iluid or Ietal
membranes can cause premature labor and birth. In these cases, the mother's body responds to the inIection by
initiating labor. InIections in other parts oI the body, such as periodontal disease, may also lead to premature labor.
Maternal or Fetal Diseases
Complications in the health oI the mother, such as hypertension, anemia or diabetes, may lead to preterm labor.
Medical problems in the baby, such as birth deIects or growth restriction, may cause the Ietus to initiate premature
birth hormonally.
Placental, Cervical and Uterine Problems
Problems with the uterus or placenta can lead to premature birth. Some common problems leading to preterm labor
include placenta previa, placental abruption, uterine abnormalities and incompetent cervix.
Doctor-nduced Premature Birth
Sometimes, iI the health oI the mother or baby is in danger because oI problems such as preeclampsia or gestational
diabetes, the doctor will recommend early delivery. Typically, this will take place between 34 to 37 weeks gestation,
which is considered a late premature birth. Depending on the particular complication, this type oI premature birth
may involve induced labor or a cesarean section.
Physical Trauma
II a pregnant woman is involved in an accident, domestic violence or otherwise undergoes trauma to her body, this
can result in labor starting beIore the baby is Iinished developing.









Low Body Fat
Chubbiness is a typical trait oI Iull-term babies. A premature baby may have very little body Iat. This can make the
inIant appear very thin. The baby will not weigh nearly the amount oI a Iull-term baby. This weight range varies, but
a typical Iull-term baby weighs at least 7 pounds at delivery. The earlier the baby arrives, the lower the number will
be on the scale. Dr. Sears, pediatrician and expert at AskDrSears.com, points out that 90 oI the baby's weight is
gained aIter the IiIth month oI pregnancy and 50 percent in the Iinal two months.
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$in Traits
Premature babies who arrive between weeks 30 and 32 are likely to have thin skin as a result oI the limited body Iat,
states the March oI Dimes. The ribs may be easy to see under the skin. Regardless oI the inIant's natural skin tone,
the tissue may appear red. The skin is oIten wrinkly. Extremely premature inIants, those who are delivered anytime
between the 24th and 27th weeks, have yet to develop the exterior layer oI skin, which begins solidiIying in the 26th
week. March oI Dimes points out that the skin may appear smooth and shiny and be too Iragile Ior anything other
than light touching.
Hair
Very premature babies have no hair at all. They lack the lanugo, or Iine Iuzz that covers an inIant's body beginning
around week 24 or shortly aIter. A premature baby who arrives closer to term may have Iuzz all over the body, even
the head.
$ealed Eyes
The eyelids are Iused shut until the 26th week oI pregnancy. At that time, the lids open on their own, revealing eyes
and sometimes eyelashes, states the March oI Dimes. A baby born prior to the 26th week will continue to have
sealed eyes.
Movement
Without the needed body Iat and muscle, a preemie will not move the way a Iull-term baby will. The movements oI
a baby born between 29 and 32 weeks may appear jerky instead oI smooth. Babies born beIore these weeks may not
move much at all. The arms and legs may remain in an outstretched position Irom the lack oI muscle tone. Around
the 35th week, a preemie has enough muscle tone to get into the Ietal position, like a Iull-term newborn. Sucking to
eat may be diIIicult due to an inIant's poor muscle tone. The cries oI an early baby are oIten weak, states the
University oI Virginia Health System.
ncomplete Development
Other signs oI a premature baby include evidence that development has not Iinished. The lungs are some oI the last
parts oI the body to develop. A premature baby is oIten provided oxygen to maintain liIe until the lungs Iinish
developing. The genitals may be small or underdeveloped in a preemie, according to the Virginia Health System. In
proportion to the rest oI the body, the inIant's head is likely to appear long and irregular.










%reatment
WIen premuLure Iubor deveIops und cunnoL be sLopped, LIe IeuILI cure Leum wIII prepure Ior u IIgI-rIsk bIrLI. TIe
moLIer muy be moved Lo u cenLer LIuL specIIIcuIIy cures Ior premuLure InIunLs In, Ior exumpIe, u neonuLuI InLensIve
cure unIL (NCU).
AILer bIrLI, LIe buby Is udmILLed Lo u IIgI-rIsk nursery. TIe InIunL Is pIuced under u wurmer or In u cIeur, IeuLed box
cuIIed un IncubuLor, wIIcI conLroIs LIe uIr LemperuLure. MonILorIng mucIInes Lruck LIe buby's breuLIIng, IeurL ruLe,
und IeveI oI oxygen In LIe bIood.
nIunLs ure usuuIIy unubIe Lo coordInuLe suckIng und swuIIowIng beIore q weeks gesLuLIon. TIereIore, LIe buby muy
Iuve u smuII, soIL IeedIng Lube pIuced LIrougI LIe nose or mouLI InLo LIe sLomucI. n very premuLure or sIck InIunLs,
nuLrILIon muy be gIven LIrougI u veIn unLII LIe buby Is sLubIe enougI Lo receIve uII nuLrILIon In LIe sLomucI. (See:
NeonuLuI weIgIL guIn und nuLrILIon)
I LIe InIunL Ius breuLIIng probIems:
O A Lube muy be pIuced InLo LIe wIndpIpe (LrucIeu). A mucIIne cuIIed u venLIIuLor wIII IeIp LIe buby breuLIe.
O Some bubIes wIose breuLIIng probIems ure Iess severe receIve conLInuous posILIve uIrwuy pressure (CPAP) wILI smuII
Lubes In LIe nose ruLIer LIun LIe LrucIeu. Or LIey muy receIve onIy exLru oxygen.
O Oxygen muy be gIven by venLIIuLor, CPAP, nusuI prongs, or un oxygen Iood over LIe buby's Ieud.
Nursery cure Is needed unLII LIe InIunL Is ubIe Lo breuLIe wILIouL exLru supporL, Ieed by mouLI, und muInLuIn body
LemperuLure und u sLubIe or IncreusIng body weIgIL. n very smuII InIunLs, oLIer probIems muy compIIcuLe LreuLmenL
und u Ionger IospILuI sLuy muy be needed.