Perinatala

Perinatala, often used in reference to the perinatal period, describes the phase around birth that encompasses late pregnancy and the early neonatal period. Definitions vary by country and organization, but most commonly the term covers roughly the time from mid to late gestation (around 20 to 28 weeks or later) through the first week to 28 days after birth. The focus is on both fetal development and the newborn’s adaptation to life outside the womb.

Perinatala encompasses a range of clinical and public health concerns, including fetal growth and development, pregnancy complications, delivery, birth outcomes, and early neonatal care. It is central to perinatal medicine, a field sometimes called perinatology, which concentrates on high‑risk pregnancies, fetal and neonatal medicine, and the coordination of care among obstetricians, neonatologists, nurses, and other specialists. Key activities include prenatal screening and diagnosis, planning for risk‑appropriate delivery, intrapartum management, resuscitation of the newborn when needed, and early postnatal support such as breastfeeding and neonatal intensive care.

Outcomes in perinatala are commonly assessed through perinatal mortality and morbidity metrics, as well as long‑term developmental outcomes. Risk factors include maternal health conditions (hypertension, diabetes, obesity), infections, substance use, nutrition, maternal age, and fetal anomalies, with prematurity being a major contributor to adverse perinatal outcomes. Prevention and intervention strategies emphasize quality prenatal care, evidence‑based obstetric practices, effective intrapartum care, neonatal resuscitation, and family‑centered postnatal support. The term “perinatala” is often the feminine form used in some languages for the adjective perinatal.