Ennenaikaiset

Ennenaikaiset is Finnish for "premature" or "early." The word functions as an adjective and, in plural form, as a noun referring to things that occur earlier than usual. In Finnish, it often appears in compounds such as ennenaikaiset syntymät (premature births) or ennenaikaiset kukinnat (early flowering), reflecting its broad use across contexts.

In obstetrics and perinatal medicine, ennenaikaiset syntymät denote births before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Prematurity is categorized by gestational age: late preterm (34 to 36 weeks), moderately preterm (32 to 34 weeks), and very preterm (under 32 weeks). Premature birth is associated with higher risks of respiratory and cardiovascular problems, infection, and neurodevelopmental issues, with outcomes improving with increasing gestational age. Management can include close maternal surveillance, use of corticosteroids to accelerate fetal lung maturity if delivery is anticipated, and specialized neonatal care after birth.

In agriculture and horticulture, ennenaikaiset describe varieties or individuals that reach flowering or ripening earlier than typical. Such precocity can be advantageous in short growing seasons but may involve trade-offs in yield, disease resistance, or adaptation.

Generally, ennenaikaiset denotes anything that occurs earlier than expected or planned, and its meaning depends on the noun it accompanies. The term is common in Finnish medical, agricultural, and everyday language.