Premature infant

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A premature infant is a baby born before 37 weeks gestation.

Preterm infant; Preemie

At birth, a baby is classified as one of the following:

• Premature (less than 37 weeks gestation)
• Full term (37 to 42 weeks gestation)
• Post term (born after 42 weeks gestation)

If a woman goes into labor before 37 weeks, it is called pre-term labor. Often, the cause of pre-term labor is unknown. Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.) makes up about 15% of all premature births.

The following health conditions and events in the mother may contribute to pre-term labor:

• Preeclampsia
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Infection
• Heart disease
• Lack of prenatal care
• Poor nutrition
• Young age (a mother age younger than 18)
• Substance abuse

A woman who has had any of the following is at increase risk of pre-term labor:

• Previous pre-term delivery
• Unexplained high alpha-fetoprotein level in the second trimester
• Untreated disease or infection (such as urinary tract infection or infection of the amniotic membranes)
• Problems with the uterus or cervix
• Premature rupture of the membranes or placenta previa

Review Date: 12/27/2006
Reviewed By: Ian Marshall, MD, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.