Preterm, Low Birth Weight & Health of the Newborn

The Preterm, Low Birth Weight, and Health of the Newborn topic includes research on health conditions affecting the offspring related to prematurity, birth injury, or low birth weight that originate during the period of 20 weeks gestation to 1–4 weeks after birth. It includes research on fetal and placental development when focused on prematurity or birth weight.

Preterm infants are those born at less than 37 weeks gestational age, and low birth weight infants are those with a birth weight less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces, regardless of gestational age. Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant death and of long-term disability in children. Babies who survive may have breathing problems, feeding difficulties, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, vision problems, and hearing problems. Preterm births can also take a heavy emotional and economic toll on families.