What is considered a preterm birth?

A preterm birth is defined as a delivery that occurs before 37 weeks of gestation. The timeline of gestation is typically recognized as lasting up to 40 weeks, dividing pregnancy into three trimesters. Deliveries that occur after 37 weeks are classified as "term" and can be further divided into "early term" (between 37 and 38 weeks), "full term" (39 to 40 weeks), and "late term" (41 to 42 weeks). Therefore, anything below 37 weeks indicates that the baby has been delivered prematurely, which can lead to various health complications due to the underdevelopment of organs and systems.

Recognizing this classification is critical in pediatrics, as it guides clinicians in anticipating potential challenges associated with preterm infants, including respiratory distress, feeding issues, and increased susceptibility to infections. Understanding gestational age at birth is key to providing appropriate monitoring and interventions for infants born prematurely.