Prematúr

Prematúr refers to a birth that occurs before 37 completed weeks of gestation. This means the baby is born significantly earlier than the typical 40-week pregnancy. The earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of health complications. Premature babies may have underdeveloped organs, particularly the lungs, brain, and digestive system, which can lead to a range of health issues.

Common challenges faced by premature infants include difficulty breathing, feeding problems, temperature regulation issues, and increased susceptibility to infections. The severity of these problems depends on how early the baby is born. Babies born very prematurely, often referred to as extremely preterm, require intensive medical care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The causes of premature birth are not always clear, but risk factors can include multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.), infections, chronic health conditions in the mother such as high blood pressure or diabetes, and problems with the uterus or cervix. Lifestyle factors like smoking or substance abuse during pregnancy can also contribute. Medical advancements have significantly improved the survival rates and outcomes for premature babies, but ongoing support and monitoring are often necessary as they grow.