premies

Premies, or premature infants, are babies born before 37 completed weeks of gestation. They are commonly classified by gestational age into very preterm (<32 weeks) and moderate to late preterm (32 to <37 weeks).

Global estimates suggest that about 10% of births are premature, with higher rates in subgroups and regions with limited access to healthcare. Outcomes depend on gestational age, birth weight, presence of complications, and the availability of specialized neonatal care.

In the NICU, premies may require respiratory support such as ventilation or CPAP, supplemental oxygen, parenteral or enteral nutrition, and medications including surfactant and antibiotics. Common complications include respiratory distress syndrome, apnea, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and retinopathy of prematurity.

With modern neonatal care, survival rates have improved substantially, especially for those born after 28 weeks. Many premies experience developmental catch-up in early childhood, but some have longer-term challenges in motor, cognitive, and language development, and may have chronic lung or vision problems.

Preventive strategies focus on high-quality prenatal care and risk reduction. These include controlling maternal health conditions, avoiding tobacco and illicit drugs, treating infections promptly, and for women with a history of spontaneous preterm birth, considering progesterone therapy or cervical cerclage in selected cases.