Physicians at the University of Buffalo have reported that while many babies born early may look as healthy as full-term babies, sadly some of them are not.
The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, hopes to alert health care providers that greater vigilance is needed when caring for these early arrivals.
Term pregnancy is defined as one in which 37 to 41 weeks have elapsed since the first day of the mother's menstrual period. Traditionally, babies born within this timeframe are thought to face the same risks.
However, this study highlights that the earlier the babies are born within this 5 week period, the higher the chances are that they will need some medical assistance.
In what is considered to be the first population-based countywide assessment of neonatal morbidity among early-term infants in the US, the researchers conclude that even though many of these babies looked healthy, they were still "physiologically immature."
No comments:
Post a Comment