Pre-term birth
Pre-term birth
Pre-term birth (pronunciation: /priːˈtɜːm bɜːrθ/), also known as premature birth, 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.
Etymology
The term "pre-term" is derived from the Latin words "prae", meaning "before", and "terminus", meaning "end or limit". The term "birth" comes from the Old English "gebyrd", meaning "to bear or carry".
Definition
Pre-term birth is defined as the birth of an infant before 37 weeks of gestation. It is further classified into three subtypes:
- Extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks)
- Very preterm (28 to 32 weeks)
- Moderate to late preterm (32 to 37 weeks)
Causes
The exact causes of pre-term birth are still not fully understood. However, it is known that pre-term birth can be initiated by multiple conditions, including premature rupture of membranes and placental abruption.
Related Terms
- Premature rupture of membranes (PROM): This is a condition that occurs when the amniotic sac breaks before labor begins.
- Placental abruption: This is a serious condition in which the placenta detaches from the uterus before childbirth.
- Neonatology: This is a subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants, especially the ill or premature newborn infant.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pre-term birth
- Wikipedia's article - Pre-term birth
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