How many months does a premature baby mean? What are the criteria for premature babies?

Many people are confused about the criteria for premature babies. Today, I will introduce to you what a premature baby looks like and how old a premature baby is. Below, I will share with you some knowledge about premature babies. Please see the detailed introduction below.

Criteria for premature babies

The weight of a normal full-term baby is between 2500g and 4000g. A baby weighing less than 2500g is called a low birth weight baby, and a baby weighing less than 1500g is called a very low birth weight baby. There is no clear weight standard for premature babies. Most premature babies have a birth weight below 2,500g and a head circumference below 33cm. A few premature babies weigh more than 2,500g, and their organ function and adaptability are worse than those of full-term babies. They should still be given special care. Those whose birth weight is reduced to below the 10th percentile of normal weight for gestational age or two standard deviations below the mean due to factors such as insufficient placental function are called small for gestational age babies (small size babies, poorly mature babies). Those with a birth weight of less than 2,500g are collectively called low weight babies, and those with a birth weight of less than 1,500g are called very low weight babies, including premature babies and those who are small for gestational age.

How many months is a premature baby

Premature birth refers to childbirth between 28 and 37 weeks of gestation (196 to 258 days). Newborns born at this time are called premature babies. Newborns with immature organs are called premature babies. The mortality rate of premature babies with a birth weight of less than 2500g is 12.7% to 20.8% in China, while in foreign countries, the smaller the gestational age and the lower the weight, the higher the mortality rate. The main causes of death are perinatal asphyxia, intracranial hemorrhage, and malformations. Even if premature babies survive, they often have neurological and intellectual developmental defects. Premature births in China account for 5% to 15% of the total number of births, and about 15% of premature babies die in the neonatal period. In recent years, due to the progress of premature baby treatment and monitoring methods, their survival rate has increased significantly and the disability rate has decreased. Foreign scholars suggest that the upper limit of the definition of premature birth events be advanced to 20 weeks of gestation. Therefore, preventing premature birth is one of the main measures to reduce perinatal mortality and improve the quality of newborns.

How to prevent premature births

1. Regular and healthy living habits

Some women have become accustomed to smoking, drinking and staying up late before becoming pregnant. In this case, pregnancy can easily lead to premature birth of the fetus.

2. Relax your mind appropriately

Some women are under great pressure from work or are nervous about preparing for pregnancy, which causes them to be mentally tense. Such excessive tension can easily lead to premature births.

3. Malnutrition

The health of the mother determines the health of the fetus. If the mother is in a state of malnutrition, the fetus will definitely be unhealthy, which will induce premature birth.

4. The expectant mother is too young or too old

If the expectant mother is too young or too old, the chance of premature birth will increase. Therefore, mothers should try to get pregnant at the most suitable age for having a baby. This is the safest and healthiest for both themselves and the baby.