How is prematurity measured?
The duration of a pregnancy is measured as duration of gestation age or the length of time the baby spends in the womb. It is calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period. Ultrasound scan findings further help confirm the gestational age of the baby while still in the womb. Another reflection of prematurity is the birth weight. The expected birth weight at term is 2.5 Kg or more. Premature babies are usually less than 2.5 Kg in weight, that is Low birth weight (LBW). The more premature the baby, the smaller it is. However, not all babies that are LBW are premature. Some time babies born at term may weigh less than 2.5 Kgs. Therefore, gestational age is a more accurate measure of prematurity than birth weight.
