Editor's note:
"Preemies" have a special place in my heart because that's how my life started -- one (1) month premature and weighing in at a whopping four (4) pounds. I was one of the fortunate ones because I survived those early days and went on to thrive and become a healthy adult.
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In humans, "pre-term birth" refers to the birth of a baby at less than the thirty-seven (37) weeks gestational age. Currently the cause for pre-term birth - at least in many cases - remains unknown. Research has shown that many factors appear to be associated with the development of pre-term birth -- making its reduction a difficult proposition.
"Premature birth", commonly used as a synonym for pre-term birth, refers to the birth of a baby before its organs have matured enough to allow normal post-natal survival, growth, and development. Generally, premature infants are at a greater risk for both short-term and long-term complications including disabilities and impediments in growth and mental development. While great progress has been made in the care of premature infants, but not in reducing the prevalence of pre-term birth.
Most children, even if they are born pre-term, tend to adjust very well during childhood and adolescence. As improvements in the survival rate has improved, the focus of interventions directed at the newborn has shifted to reducing long-term disabilities -- particularly those related to brain injury. It should be noted, however, that some of the complications associated with pre-term birth may not become evident until years after birth. Some of these include: cerebral palsy, mental retardation, disorders in psychological development, problems with vision and/or hearing, and epilepsy. Even with all that has been learned, additional long-term studies are necessary to get a better picture regarding the sequalae associated with pre-term birth.
"Premature birth", commonly used as a synonym for pre-term birth, refers to the birth of a baby before its organs have matured enough to allow normal post-natal survival, growth, and development. Generally, premature infants are at a greater risk for both short-term and long-term complications including disabilities and impediments in growth and mental development. While great progress has been made in the care of premature infants, but not in reducing the prevalence of pre-term birth.
Most children, even if they are born pre-term, tend to adjust very well during childhood and adolescence. As improvements in the survival rate has improved, the focus of interventions directed at the newborn has shifted to reducing long-term disabilities -- particularly those related to brain injury. It should be noted, however, that some of the complications associated with pre-term birth may not become evident until years after birth. Some of these include: cerebral palsy, mental retardation, disorders in psychological development, problems with vision and/or hearing, and epilepsy. Even with all that has been learned, additional long-term studies are necessary to get a better picture regarding the sequalae associated with pre-term birth.
