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{{complex|date=October 2011‎}}
[[File:Premature infant with ventilator.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Premature baby in an [[incubator]]]]
[[File:Premature infant with ventilator.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Premature baby in an [[incubator]]]]


'''Premature birth''' is when a [[baby]] is born before the normal end of [[pregnancy]]. In humans, a pregnancy normally lasts for about nine months.266 daysis the average.
'''Premature birth''' is when a [[baby]] is born before the normal end of [[pregnancy]]. In humans, a pregnancy normally lasts for about nine monthsor266 days.


Ababyis said to be premature ifborn before 37 complete weeks of pregnancy (calculated from the last menstrual period). In the [[United States]], about 12percentof the babies are born prematurely,that is about1in8.<ref>Martin J.A. ''et al'' 2006. Births: final data for 2004. ''National Vital Statistics Reports''. '''55''', #1.National Center for Health Statistics.</ref> In 2003, there were over 490,000suchbirths. Worldwide rates of prematurity are more difficult to get. In developingregionsthere is often no professional medical care for these babies. This makes it difficult to tell how far along the pregnancy really was. For this reason, the [[World Health Organization]] tracks rates of low [[birth weight]] instead. In 2000,this occurred in16.5percentofbirthsinlessdevelopedregions.<ref>[http:// who.int/research/en/ WHO|Data and statistics</ref>It is estimated thatone-third of these low birth weight deliveries are due to premature delivery.
Babieswhoareborn before 37 complete weeks of pregnancy (calculated from the last[[menstruation|menstrual period]])are said to be ''premature''.In the [[United States]], about 12%of the babies are born prematurely(that is aboutoneinevery eight babies).<ref>Martin J.A. ''et al'' 2006. Births: final data for 2004. ''National Vital Statistics Reports''. '''55''', #1.National Center for Health Statistics.</ref> In 2003, there were over 490,000prematurebirths.
Worldwide rates of prematurity are more difficult to get. In[[developingcountries]],there is often no professional medical care for these babies. This makes it difficult to tell how far along the pregnancy really was. For this reason, the [[World Health Organization]] tracks rates of low [[birth weight]] instead. In 2000, 16.5%ofbabies bornindevelopingcountrieswere of low birth weight.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http:// who.int/research/en/|title=WHO Data and statistics|access-date=2008-09-05 |archive-date=2007-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216204220/http:// who.int/research/en/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>Aboutone-third of these low birth weight deliveries are due to premature delivery.


== Complications ==
== Complications ==
The risk of having a problem (called a ''complication'') is higher in shorter pregnancies. Babies born prematurely die more often in their first year of life than others. Most deathsfrom prematurityoccur in the first month of life, which is called ''neonatal mortality''.
The risk of having a problem (called a ''[[complication]]'') is higher in shorter pregnancies. Babies born prematurely die more often in their first year of life than others. Mostsuchdeaths occur in the first month of life, which is called ''neonatal mortality''.


Worldwide, prematurityaccounts for10% of neonatal mortality, or around 500,000 deaths per year.<ref>Child Health Research Project Special Report.1999. "Reducing Perinatal and Neonatal Mortality." ''Meeting Report''. '''3''', #1. Baltimore, Maryland.</ref> In the U.S., where many infections and other causes of neonatal death have been markedly reduced, prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal mortality at 25%.<ref>Mathew T.J. and MacDorman M.F. 2006. Infant mortality statistics from the 2003 periodlLinked birth/infant death data set. ''National Vital Statistics Reports''. '''54''' #16. Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics.</ref> Prematurely born infants are also at greater risk of developing serious health problems such as [[cerebral palsy]], [[bronchopulmonary dysplasia|chronic lung disease]], [[gastrointestinal]] problems, [[mental retardation]], [[blindness|vision]] or [[deafness|hearing loss]]<ref>March of Dimes. 2006. [http:// marchofdimes /files/PremFactSheetFinalOct2006.pdf The Growing Problem of Prematurity]</ref>andare moresusceptibletodeveloping[[Clinical depression|depression]] as teenagers.<ref>The Age 2004.[http:// theage.au/articles/2004/05/03/1083436541757.html Depression linked to premature birth].</ref>
Worldwide, prematuritycauses10% of neonatal mortality, or around 500,000 deaths per year.<ref>Child Health Research Project Special Report.1999. "Reducing Perinatal and Neonatal Mortality." ''Meeting Report''. '''3''', #1. Baltimore, Maryland.</ref> In the U.S., where many[[Infectious disease|infections]]and other causes of neonatal death have been markedly reduced, prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal mortality at 25%.<ref>Mathew T.J. and MacDorman M.F. 2006. Infant mortality statistics from the 2003 periodlLinked birth/infant death data set. ''National Vital Statistics Reports''. '''54''' #16. Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics.</ref> Prematurely born infants are also at greater risk of developing serious health problems,such as [[cerebral palsy]], [[bronchopulmonary dysplasia|chronic lung disease]], [[Gastrointestinal tract|gastrointestinal]] problems, [[mental retardation]], [[blindness|visionloss]],or [[deafness|hearing loss]].<ref>March of Dimes. 2006. [http:// marchofdimes /files/PremFactSheetFinalOct2006.pdf The Growing Problem of Prematurity]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910074330/http:// marchofdimes /files/PremFactSheetFinalOct2006.pdf |date=2008-09-10 }}</ref>Theyarealsomorelikelytohave[[Clinical depression|depression]] as teenagers.<ref>The Age 2004.[http:// theage.au/articles/2004/05/03/1083436541757.html Depression linked to premature birth].</ref>


Nearly half of all premature births have no known cause. When conditions permit doctors may attempt to stop premature labor, so that the pregnancy can have a chance to continue to full term. This will increase the baby's chances of health and survival. Infact,the rate ofpretermbirthsin the United Stateshas increased 30% in the past two decades.<ref>Mayo Clinic 2006. [http:// mayoclinic /health/premature-birth/DS00137/DSECTION=1 Premature Birth]</ref>
Nearly half of all premature births have[[Idiopathic|no known cause]].When conditions permit,doctors may attempt to stop premature labor, so that the pregnancy can have a chance to continue to full term. This will increase the baby's chances of health and survival.
Inthe United States,the rate ofprematurebirths has increased 30% in the past two[[decades]].<ref>Mayo Clinic 2006. [http:// mayoclinic /health/premature-birth/DS00137/DSECTION=1 Premature Birth]</ref>


== Special care for babies born early ==
== Special care for babies born early ==
In developed countries, many [[hospital]]s have special facilities for prematurely born infants.Ahospital unitofthistypeis usuallyknown asa ''neonatal intensive care unit'' (NICU). In the NICU, premature babies are keptunder radiant warmers orin [[incubator]]s. They are enclosed in plastic withclimate controlequipment which keeps them warm and keeps germs away from them.Modern neonatal intensive care involves sophisticated measurement of [[temperature]], [[respiration]], [[heart]] function, [[oxygen]] supply, and [[brain]] activity. Treatments may include fluids and nutrition through [[intravenous therapy|intravenous]] [[catheter]]s, [[oxygen]] supplementation, [[mechanical ventilation|breathing]] support, and medications.
In developed countries, many [[hospital]]s have special facilities for prematurely born infants.Thistypeofhospitalunitis usuallycalleda ''[[neonatal intensive care unit]]'' (NICU,[[Pronunciation|pronounced]] "NICK-you"). In the NICU, premature babies are keptwarmin [[incubator]]sor other warming machines.They are enclosed in plastic with equipment which keeps them warm and keeps[[germs]]away from them.


Modern neonatal [[Intensive care unit|intensive care]] involves sophisticated measurement of [[temperature]], [[respiration]], [[heart]] function, [[oxygen]] supply, and [[brain]] activity. Treatments may include [[Intravenous therapy|fluids]] and [[Intravenous therapy|nutrition]] given through [[intravenous therapy|intravenous]] [[catheter]]s; [[oxygen]], [[mechanical ventilation|breathing]] support; and [[Medication|medications]].
⚫
In developing countries where advanced equipment may not be available or reliable, simple measures such as ''kangaroo care'' (skintoskin warming), encouraging [[breastfeeding]], and basic infection control measures help reduce death rate and illness.

⚫
In developing countries,where advanced equipment may not be available or reliable, simple measures such as ''kangaroo care'' (skin-to-skin warming), encouraging [[breastfeeding]], and basic infection control measures help reduce death rate and illness.


== Chances of survival ==
== Chances of survival ==
The earliest time in the pregnancy where the infant has at least a 50% chance of survival is called the ''limit of viability''. In countries with good health care, viability has been reduced to about 24 weeks.<ref name= "pmid16396856" >{{cite journal |author=Kaempf J.W. ''et al.'' 2006|title=Medical staff guidelines for periviability pregnancy counseling and medical treatment of extremely premature infants |journal=Pediatrics |volume=117 |issue=1 |pages=22–9 |pmid=16396856 |url=http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/117/1/22 }} — in particular see [http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content-nw/full/117/1/22/T1 TABLE 1 Survival and neurologic disability rates among extremely premature infants]</ref><ref name= "pmid18240080" >{{cite journal |author=Morgan M.A; Goldenberg R.L. & Schulkin J. 2008|title=Obstetrician-gynecologists' practices regarding preterm birth at the limit of viability |journal=J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med. |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=115–21 |pmid=18240080 |doi=10.1080/14767050701866971}}</ref> Rare survivors have been documented as early as 21 weeks,<ref>{{cite web|url=http:// ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070220/baby_premature_070219/20070220?hub=CTVNewsAt11|title=News report}}</ref> but this date is controversial because the pregnancy was measured from the date of conception rather than the date of her mother's last menstrual period. This makes gestation appear 2 weeks less than if calculated by the more common method.<ref name= "abchealth" >{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go /Health/story?id=2890242&page=1|title=ABC News story}}</ref> Risk of brain damage and developmental delay is significant at that early time. Even if the infantsurvives,there are [[medical ethics|ethical]] controversies over the care given to such infants. The limit of viability has also become a factor in the [[abortion]] debate.
The earliest time in the pregnancy where the infant has at least a 50% chance of survival is called the ''limit of viability''. In countries with good health care, viability has been reduced to about 24 weeks.<ref name= "pmid16396856" >{{cite journal |author=Kaempf J.W. ''et al.'' 2006|title=Medical staff guidelines for periviability pregnancy counseling and medical treatment of extremely premature infants |journal=Pediatrics|year=2006|volume=117 |issue=1 |pages=22–9|doi=10.1542/peds.2004-2547|pmid=16396856|s2cid=20495326|url=http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/117/1/22|access-date=2008-09-05 |archive-date=2008-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318092852/http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/117/1/22 |url-status=dead}} — in particular see [http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content-nw/full/117/1/22/T1 TABLE 1 Survival and neurologic disability rates among extremely premature infants]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612205553/http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content-nw/full/117/1/22/T1 |date=2008-06-12 }}</ref><ref name= "pmid18240080" >{{cite journal |author=Morgan M.A; Goldenberg R.L. & Schulkin J. 2008|title=Obstetrician-gynecologists' practices regarding preterm birth at the limit of viability |journal=J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med.|year=2008|volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=115–21 |pmid=18240080 |doi=10.1080/14767050701866971|s2cid=27735824}}</ref> Rare survivors have been documented as early as 21 weeks,<ref>{{cite web|url=http:// ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070220/baby_premature_070219/20070220?hub=CTVNewsAt11|title=News report|access-date=2008-09-05|archive-date=2008-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606023348/http:// ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070220/baby_premature_070219/20070220?hub=CTVNewsAt11|url-status=dead}}</ref> but this date is[[controversial]]because the pregnancy was measured from the date of conception rather than the date of her mother's last menstrual period. This makes[[gestation]]appear 2 weeks less than if calculated by the more common method.<ref name= "abchealth" >{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go /Health/story?id=2890242&page=1|title=ABC News story|website=[[ABC News]]}}</ref> Risk of[[brain damage]]and[[Intellectual disability|developmental delay]]is significant at that early time. Even if the infantlives,there are [[medical ethics|ethical]] controversies over the care given to such infants. The limit of viability has also become a factor in the [[abortion]] debate.


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


[[Category:Biologicalreproduction]]
[[Category:Pregnancyand childbirth]]
[[Category:Babies]]

[[ar:ولادة مبكرة]]
[[ca:Part preterme]]
[[cs:Předčasný porod]]
[[de:Frühgeburt]]
[[el:Πρόωρος τοκετός]]
[[en:Preterm birth]]
[[es:Parto pretérmino]]
[[fr:Enfant prématuré]]
[[ko:조산]]
[[hi:अपरिणत प्रसव]]
[[it:Parto pretermine]]
[[he:פג]]
[[ml:അകാലജനനം]]
[[nl:Prematuur (voortplanting)]]
[[ja: Sớm sản ]]
[[no:Ufullbåret barn]]
[[pl:Wcześniactwo]]
[[pt:Parto pré-termo]]
[[ru:Недоношенный ребёнок]]
[[fi:Keskonen]]
[[sv:Prematur]]
[[ta:குறைப்பிரசவம்]]
[[th:การคลอดก่อนกำหนด]]
[[tr:Erken doğum]]
[[zh: Sinh non ]]

Latest revision as of 22:57, 19 December 2023

Premature baby in anincubator

Premature birthis when ababyis born before the normal end ofpregnancy.In humans, a pregnancy normally lasts for about nine months or 266 days.

Babies who are born before 37 complete weeks of pregnancy (calculated from the lastmenstrual period) are said to bepremature.In theUnited States,about 12% of the babies are born prematurely (that is about one in every eight babies).[1]In 2003, there were over 490,000 premature births.

Worldwide rates of prematurity are more difficult to get. Indeveloping countries,there is often no professional medical care for these babies. This makes it difficult to tell how far along the pregnancy really was. For this reason, theWorld Health Organizationtracks rates of lowbirth weightinstead. In 2000, 16.5% of babies born in developing countries were of low birth weight.[2]About one-third of these low birth weight deliveries are due to premature delivery.

Complications

[change|change source]

The risk of having a problem (called acomplication) is higher in shorter pregnancies. Babies born prematurely die more often in their first year of life than others. Most such deaths occur in the first month of life, which is calledneonatal mortality.

Worldwide, prematurity causes 10% of neonatal mortality, or around 500,000 deaths per year.[3]In the U.S., where manyinfectionsand other causes of neonatal death have been markedly reduced, prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal mortality at 25%.[4]Prematurely born infants are also at greater risk of developing serious health problems, such ascerebral palsy,chronic lung disease,gastrointestinalproblems,mental retardation,vision loss,orhearing loss.[5]They are also more likely to havedepressionas teenagers.[6]

Nearly half of all premature births haveno known cause.When conditions permit, doctors may attempt to stop premature labor, so that the pregnancy can have a chance to continue to full term. This will increase the baby's chances of health and survival.

In the United States, the rate of premature births has increased 30% in the past twodecades.[7]

Special care for babies born early

[change|change source]

In developed countries, manyhospitalshave special facilities for prematurely born infants. This type of hospital unit is usually called aneonatal intensive care unit(NICU,pronounced"NICK-you" ). In the NICU, premature babies are kept warm inincubatorsor other warming machines. They are enclosed in plastic with equipment which keeps them warm and keepsgermsaway from them.

Modern neonatalintensive careinvolves sophisticated measurement oftemperature,respiration,heartfunction,oxygensupply, andbrainactivity. Treatments may includefluidsandnutritiongiven throughintravenouscatheters;oxygen,breathingsupport; andmedications.

In developing countries, where advanced equipment may not be available or reliable, simple measures such askangaroo care(skin-to-skin warming), encouragingbreastfeeding,and basic infection control measures help reduce death rate and illness.

Chances of survival

[change|change source]

The earliest time in the pregnancy where the infant has at least a 50% chance of survival is called thelimit of viability.In countries with good health care, viability has been reduced to about 24 weeks.[8][9]Rare survivors have been documented as early as 21 weeks,[10]but this date iscontroversialbecause the pregnancy was measured from the date of conception rather than the date of her mother's last menstrual period. This makesgestationappear 2 weeks less than if calculated by the more common method.[11]Risk ofbrain damageanddevelopmental delayis significant at that early time. Even if the infant lives, there areethicalcontroversies over the care given to such infants. The limit of viability has also become a factor in theabortiondebate.

References

[change|change source]
  1. ↑Martin J.A.et al2006. Births: final data for 2004.National Vital Statistics Reports.55,#1.National Center for Health Statistics.
  2. ↑"WHO Data and statistics".Archived fromthe originalon 2007-02-16.Retrieved2008-09-05.
  3. ↑Child Health Research Project Special Report.1999. "Reducing Perinatal and Neonatal Mortality."Meeting Report.3,#1. Baltimore, Maryland.
  4. ↑Mathew T.J. and MacDorman M.F. 2006. Infant mortality statistics from the 2003 periodlLinked birth/infant death data set.National Vital Statistics Reports.54#16. Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics.
  5. ↑March of Dimes. 2006.The Growing Problem of PrematurityArchived2008-09-10 at theWayback Machine
  6. ↑The Age 2004.Depression linked to premature birth.
  7. ↑Mayo Clinic 2006.Premature Birth
  8. ↑Kaempf J.W.et al.2006 (2006)."Medical staff guidelines for periviability pregnancy counseling and medical treatment of extremely premature infants".Pediatrics.117(1): 22–9.doi:10.1542/peds.2004-2547.PMID16396856.S2CID20495326.Archived fromthe originalon 2008-03-18.Retrieved2008-09-05.{{cite journal}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)— in particular seeTABLE 1 Survival and neurologic disability rates among extremely premature infantsArchived2008-06-12 at theWayback Machine
  9. ↑Morgan M.A; Goldenberg R.L. & Schulkin J. 2008 (2008). "Obstetrician-gynecologists' practices regarding preterm birth at the limit of viability".J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med.21(2): 115–21.doi:10.1080/14767050701866971.PMID18240080.S2CID27735824.{{cite journal}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑"News report".Archived fromthe originalon 2008-06-06.Retrieved2008-09-05.
  11. ↑"ABC News story".ABC News.
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