Premature infant
Pregnancy normally lasts about 40 weeks. A baby born 3 or more weeks early is premature.
When a baby is born too early, he or she may have health problems. Any premature baby can have medical problems. But those who are born before 32 weeks are more likely to have serious problems.
Babies who are premature may not be able to eat, breathe, or stay warm on their own. Their bodies need more time to fully form. After they outgrow the problems caused by being born too soon, most babies can safely go home from the hospital.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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