Premature delivery

Premature Delivery

A premature delivery is a birth that takes place more than three weeks before the baby's estimated due date. In other words, a premature birth is one that occurs before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy. Premature babies, especially those born very early, often have complicated medical problems. Typically, complications of prematurity vary. But the earlier your baby is born, the higher the risk of complications.

Causes

Premature delivery can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of these include multiple pregnancies, infections and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. However, often no cause is identified. Risk factors for preterm labor are not always clear, and preterm labor often happens unexpectedly without a known cause.

Complications

Premature babies are at risk of a range of complications due to their underdeveloped systems. These can include respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, and necrotizing enterocolitis. The earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of these and other complications.

Prevention and Treatment

While not all premature deliveries can be prevented, there are certain things that can increase the likelihood of a full-term pregnancy. These include proper prenatal care, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and managing chronic conditions. Treatment for premature babies involves specialized care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

See Also

• Preterm birth
• Neonatology
• Neonatal intensive care unit
• Respiratory distress syndrome
• Intraventricular hemorrhage
• Necrotizing enterocolitis

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