Premature Babies Summary Almost 1 of every 10 infants born in the United States are premature, or preemies. A premature birth is when a baby is born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. A full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks. Important growth and development happen throughout pregnancy – especially in the final months and weeks. Because they are born too early, preemies weigh much less than full-term babies. They may have health problems because their organs did not have enough time to develop. Problems that a baby born too early may have include Breathing problems Feeding difficulties Cerebral palsy Developmental delay Vision problems Hearing problems Preemies need special medical care in a neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU. They stay there until their organ systems can work on their own. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Related Issues About Skin-to-Skin Care (Kangaroo Care) American Academy of Pediatrics Corrected Age for Preemies American Academy of Pediatrics Cranial Ultrasound/Head Ultrasound Array Medications After the NICU March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Overview of Early Intervention Center for Parent Information and Resources Preemie Milestones American Academy of Pediatrics What Is a Neonatologist? American Academy of Pediatrics When Your Baby’s in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) Nemours Foundation Array Apnea of prematurity Bronchopulmonary dysplasia Intraventricular hemorrhage of the newborn Necrotizing enterocolitis Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome Neonatal weight gain and nutrition Osteopenia – premature infants Premature infant Preterm labor Specifics Apnea of Prematurity (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Common Diagnoses in the NICU Nemours Foundation Necrotizing Enterocolitis Nemours Foundation Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Patent Ductus Arteriosus National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Periventricular Leukomalacia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Respiratory Distress Syndrome National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) National Eye Institute Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN) Nemours Foundation Living With Becoming a Parent in the NICU March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Common Parent Reactions to the NICU American Academy of Pediatrics Feeding Your Baby in the NICU March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Grandparents and the NICU March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Immunizations for Preterm Babies American Academy of Pediatrics In the NICU: Your Family and Friends March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Medical Equipment at Home After the NICU March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Transitioning Newborns from NICU to Home: Family Information Packet Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Watching for Complications American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Infant, Premature National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Infant, Premature, Diseases National Institutes of Health Statistics and Research FastStats: Birthweight and Gestation National Center for Health Statistics PeriStats: Perinatal Statistics March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Start Here Health Issues of Premature Babies American Academy of Pediatrics Preterm Labor and Birth National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Primer on Preemies Nemours Foundation Your Premature Baby March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Find an Expert KidsHealth Nemours Foundation March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Encyclopedia Oxygen therapy – infants Periventricular leukomalacia Retinopathy of prematurity Transient tachypnea – newborn Visiting your baby in the NICU Journal Articles Premature Babies Treatments and Therapies What Are the Common Treatments for Necrotizing Enterocolitis? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Latest News Drug Used for Preemie Eye Disease Tied to Disabilities HealthDay Extreme ‘Preemies’ Often Have Lifelong Challenges HealthDay
