2. Babies classified into 3 groups according to
gestational age:
1. Preterm :Babies born before the end of 37 weeks
gestation (less than 259 days).
2. Term : Babies born from 37 completed weeks to less
than 42 completed weeks (259 to 293 days) of gestation.
3. Post term : Babies born at 42 completed weeks or any
time thereafter (294 days and over) of gestation.
3. Sub-categories of preterm birth, based on
gestational age :
1. Extremely preterm (<28 weeks)
2. Very preterm (28 to <32 weeks)
3. Moderate to late preterm (32 to 37 weeks).
4. • Their intrauterine growth may be normal.
• Given good neonatal care, these babies may
catch up growth and by 2 to 3 years of age will
be of normal size and performance.
5. INCIDENCE
• More than 1 in 10 of the world's babies born in 2010
were born prematurely(15M)
• Prematurity is now the second-leading cause of death
in children under 5 years, and the single
most important cause of death in the critical first
month of life.
• For the babies who survive, many face a lifetime of
significant disability.
6. TWO BROAD SUBTYPES:
1.Spontaneous 2.Provider initiated
(1) Spontaneous Preterm Birth
spontaneous onset of labor or following prelabor
premature rupture of membranes (PROM)
• Cause : Unknown in 50% cases.
7.
8.
9. (2) Provider-initiated Preterm Birth
-defined as induction of labor or elective caesarean
birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation for maternal
or fetal indications (both "urgent" or "discretionary"), or
other non-medical reasons.
10. • Premature babies are at greater risk of developing
NCDs (non-communicable diseases), like
hypertension and diabetes, and other significant
health condition later in life, creating an
intergenerational cycle of risk.
12. • These may be born at term or preterm.
• Weigh less than the 10th percentile for the gestational
age.
• Result of retarded intrauterine foetal growth.
14. Maternal causes :
1. Malnutrition
2. Severe anaemia
3. Heavy physical work during pregnancy
4. Hypertension
5. Malaria
6. Toxaemia
7. Smoking
8. Low economic status
9. Short maternal stature
10.Very young age
11.High parity
12.Close birth spacing
13.Low education status.
15. • SFD babies have a high risk of dying not only during the
neonatal period but during their infancy, thus
significantly raising the rate of infant and perinatal
mortality and contribute greatly to immediate and long
term health problems. Most of them become victims of
protein-energy malnutrition and infections.
