Prematurity

Question 1

When is a baby considered premature?

Answer 1

Before 37 weeks

Question 2

When is a baby considered low birth weight?

What classifications are there?

Answer 2

LBW: <2500g
VLBW: <1500g
ELBW: <1000g

Question 3

What problems can prematurity lead to?

Answer 3

Developmental delay
Visual impairment
Chronic lung disease
Cerebral palsy

Question 4

What are the causes of prematurity?

Answer 4

Spontaneous:

• idiopathic
• preterm premature rupture of membranes
• cervical weakness
• amnionitis

Indicated:
- for medical reasons

Question 5

What is amnionitis?

Answer 5

Infection of amniotic membranes

Question 6

Risk factors for pre-term birth?

Answer 6

Multiple pregnancy

Ante-partum haemorrhage

Infection

Cervical weakness

Question 7

Which infections can lead to preterm birth?

Answer 7

Bacterial vaginosis
UTI
Pyelonephritis
Appendicitis

Question 8

Primary prevention of pre-term birth?

Answer 8

Reducing at risk populations

Prevent STIs
Stop smoking
Prevention of multiple pregnancy
Cervical assessment at 20-26 weeks

Question 9

How do you diagnose prematurity?

Answer 9

There’s persistent uterine activity

Change in cervical dilatation and effacement

Question 10

Management of pre-term labour?

Answer 10

Identify cause

Assess fetal maturity

Steroids for baby’s lungs

Plan with neonatologists

Tocolytic drugs: nifedipine, MgSO4