Prematurity

Question 1

Prematurity - def

Answer 1

Birth at

Question 2

Prematurity - epi (2)

Answer 2

1. 7%

Question 3

Prematurity - survival

Answer 3

1. Preterm infants have survival rate inversely proportional to getstational age
2. 24 weeks = 50% of neonates will survive, although substantial proportion (25%) will suffer from life-altering disabilities
3. 29 weeks = >90% survival, reduced incidence of life-altering disabilities

Question 4

Prematurity - complications (7)

Answer 4

1. RDS
2. Hypothermia
3. Hypoglycaemia
4. Jaundice
5. Necrotising enterocolitis
6. Retinopathy of prematurity (vascular proliferative disease - if left unmonitored, may result in blindness)
7. Intraventricular haemorrhage

Question 5

Prematurity - long-term developmental outcomes

Answer 5

1. Very premature infants more likely to have problems with eyesight, hearing, movement and learning
2. 24-25 weeks’ gestation = 30% of babies will have one or more of these problems. 20% at 26-27 weeks
3. Of babies who do have a problem with their development, 2/3 will have mild disability (but can still be independent); 1/3 severe disability (cannot be independent)
4. 1 in 30 babies born between 28 and 31 weeks will have some degree of cerebral palsy (permanent muscle tone problems)
5. 1 in 20 have CP if born at

Question 6

Prematurity - taking the baby home

Answer 6

1. Preterm infants have discharge date which roughly coincides with the initial due date
   (term babies usually remain in hospital between 6hrs and 1 week)
2. Baby reviewed at early childhood centre
3. Home visit organised within first few weeks following discharge from hospital
4. GP provides primary health care for both mother and baby
5. All newly discharged infants require a health check at 6 weeks of age - health of mother and child noted in parent-held health record