What defines a premature infant?

A premature infant is defined as one that is born before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation. This classification indicates that the infant has not had the full term of development typically associated with a normal pregnancy, which lasts about 40 weeks. In addition to being born early, a premature infant may also have a lower birth weight, but the defining factor remains the gestational age.

The criterion of weighing less than 5 1/2 pounds aligns with the recognition that many preterm infants can be of low birth weight, but it is the gestational age that primarily classifies the infant as premature. Infants born at or before 37 weeks are at a higher risk for certain medical complications due to their underdeveloped organs and systems.

This understanding of what constitutes a premature infant is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing appropriate care and monitoring for these vulnerable newborns.