The term premature birth refers to a baby born before completing 37 weeks of gestation. However, depending on the length of time spent in the womb, it is categorized as:
- Less than 28 weeks: Extremely preterm.
- Between 28 and 32 weeks: Very preterm.
- Between 32 and 37 weeks: Moderate to late preterm.
The risk associated with premature birth lies in the fact that the earlier a baby is born, the greater their health risks will be. Consequently, these infants require specialized medical care in a hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In some cases, premature babies may also experience long-term physical or intellectual disabilities.
There are various risk factors that increase the likelihood of premature delivery, although premature birth can still occur even when no known risk factors are present.
Risk Factors for Premature Birth
While premature birth can happen in any pregnancy, several factors can increase the risk, including:
- Chronic conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or depression, among others.
- Congenital defects in the fetus.
- Substance abuse.
- Shortened cervix.
- Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.).
- High levels of emotional stress for the mother.
- Smoking.
- Infections in the amniotic fluid or lower genital tract.
- Polyhydramnios (excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid).
- Uterine or placental abnormalities.
- Young or advanced maternal age.
- Vaginal bleeding.
- History of premature labor in a previous pregnancy.
How to Prevent Premature Birth
It is not always possible to prevent premature birth; however, there are several steps mothers can take to promote a healthy, full-term pregnancy:
- Prenatal medical care: Once your pregnancy is confirmed, attend all scheduled prenatal checkups so your doctor can monitor both your health and your baby’s development. If you have a history of premature birth or notice symptoms that could indicate early labor, inform your doctor immediately.
- A healthy diet: Good nutrition supports a healthy pregnancy. Polyunsaturated fatty acids—found in nuts, seeds, and fish—have been associated with a lower risk of premature delivery.
- Avoid harmful substances: Refrain from smoking, consuming alcohol, and using recreational drugs throughout your pregnancy.
Premature infants may experience various medical conditions, including anemia, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), neonatal infections, and respiratory distress, among others.
Because of these factors, premature birth is considered a high-risk delivery. To ensure close monitoring, the baby may need to be placed in an incubator, which helps regulate their body temperature while allowing their organs to continue developing.
At the Obstetrics Center of Centro Médico ABC, we provide specialized care. Contact us today!
Fuentes:
https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/preterm-birth#:~:text=Se%20considera%20prematuro%20un%20beb%C3%A9,prematuros%20(28%20a%2032%20semanas)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/premature-birth/symptoms-causes/syc-20376730
