Minor disabilities like learning problems, poor coordination, or short attention span may be the result of premature birth, but can be overcome with early intervention.
Prematurity is much more common in multiple pregnancy and for mothers who have a history of miscarriages or who have given birth to a premature infant in the past.
Maternal toxemia is blood poisoning and may cause premature birth.
Premature rupture of membranes occurs when the amniotic sac is torn, causing the amniotic fluid to leak out.
Only if the premature birth was enough to affect developmental or other functions in the child.
Placental abruption is a medical condition in which the placenta detaches from the uterus.
Risk factors depend on weight at birth and if breathing problems exist. Premature boy babies have a lower survival rate than premature girl babies. Infection or a birth defect can also affect outcomes.
The latest research is a new medication (17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate) which may help to prevent spontaneous premature births.
Prematurity is diagnosed by determining the gestational age of the baby using ultrasound imaging, calculating from a date of conception, using the Dubowitz exam, electronic fetal monitoring, blood samples.
Down syndrome is not caused by premature birth. Down syndrome is present in the embryo from the time of conception. Down syndrome, in contrast, may lead to premature birth.
PROM occurs in about 10% of all pregnancies. Only about 20% of these cases are preterm PROM. Preterm PROM is responsible for about 34% of all premature births.
The minimum gestation period is 23 weeks gestational age (17 weeks premature) for the infant to survive due to advances in medical technology.
Birth defects, lung problems, mental retardation, blindness, deafness, and developmental disabilities.