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What causes prematurity?

causes prematurity
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What causes prematurity?

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Premature babies are born before their bodies and organ systems have completely matured. These babies are often small, with low birthweight (less than 2,500 grams or 5 ½ pounds), and they may need help breathing, eating, fighting infection, and staying warm. Very premature babies, those born before 28 weeks, are especially vulnerable. Many of their organs may not be ready for life outside the mother’s uterus and may be too immature to function well. Some of the problems premature babies may experience include: • temperature instability – inability to stay warm due to low body fat. • respiratory problems: • hyaline membrane disease/respiratory distress syndrome – a condition in which the air sacs cannot stay open due to lack of surfactant in the lungs. • chronic lung disease/bronchopulmonary dysplasia – long-term respiratory problems caused by injury to the lung tissue. • air leaking out of the normal lung spaces into other tissues • incomplete lung development • apnea (stopping breathi

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