Preterm Birth
March of Dimes - Babies born before 37 completed
weeks of pregnancy are called premature or preterm.
In the United States, 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely.
Babies born preterm are at risk for serious health problems.
Those born earliest are at greater risk of medical complications,
long-term disabilities and death. |
The earlier a child is born, the less she will weigh,
the less developed her organs will be, and the more
complications she is likely to face. These babies may
require care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
These units have specialized medical staff and equipment
that can deal with the multiple problems that premature
infants face. |
Expecting
a Baby and New Baby
