Preterm Birth Classification, Causes, Problems,

Preterm Birth

Preterm birth is defined as birth which occurs before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. It is the number one cause of newborn deaths and the second leading cause of deaths in children under five.

Classification

The WHO gives the following definitions for the different stages of preterm birth:

• Extremely preterm – babies born less than 28 weeks of pregnancy

• Very preterm – from 28 to 32 weeks

• Moderate to late preterm – from 32 to 37 weeks

Causes of preterm births

• Infection

• Pre-eclampsia

• Gestational diabetes

• Problems with the cervix

• Multiple pregnancies

• Lifestyle factors

Waters breaking early Problems with the placenta Problems with the womb

Source: Dr Ashok Gawdi, Consultant (Paediatric and Neonatology), Fortis Hiranandani in Vashi, Mumbai

Five countries with the greatest number of preterm births

• Almost half of all preterm births in 2020 occurred in just five countries, as reported by WHO/UNICEF:

  1. India – 3.02 million preterm births (≈ 23 % of global total)

  2. Pakistan – over 750,000

  3. Nigeria – over 750,000

  4. China – over 750,000

  5. Ethiopia – included

You are more likely to go into premature labour if:

• This is your first baby

• You are pregnant with twins, triplets or other multiples

• You have had a cervical trauma, such as treatment for an abnormal smear test

• Your stomach has been injured

• You are under 17 or over 35

• IVF conception

Problems faced by premature babies:

• Respiratory difficulty due to immature lung causing Hyaline Membrane Disease

• Apnoea, due to poor respiratory drive, where the baby fails to breathe

• Bleeding disorders causing intra-ventricular bleed in brain

• Sepsis or infection due to poor immune system

• Immature stomach and intestine making feeding difficult and thus requiring intravenous nutrition

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