What is Prematurity in babies?
Prematurity (preterm) is defined as birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation. In those infants less than 28 weeks there is a several fold increased risk of mortality and morbidity compared with more mature babies. Broadly, the more preterm an infant is, the higher their risk for complications.
Gestational Age
Premature infants have certain characteristics such as low birth weigh, soft flexible ear cartilage, body hair and wrinkled features. Physical and neurological examination to determine gestational age is performed after the baby is stabilized.
Factors associated with increased risk of prematurity
- Infection especially chorioamnionitis (infection of the amniotic fluid and placental membranes)
- Recurrent preterm labour
- Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
- Recurrent antepartum haemorrhage (bleeding from the uterus during pregnancy)
- Extremes of maternal age
- Low socio-economic status
- Maternal illness e.g. diabetes
