PRETERM INFANT Meaning and
Definition
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A preterm infant is a term used to refer to a baby who is born before completing the full 37 weeks of gestation or a full-term pregnancy. Also known as a premature baby, a preterm infant is delivered earlier than expected, often due to various medical reasons or complications.
Preterm infants are typically smaller in size and weigh less compared to babies born at full term. They may exhibit physical characteristics such as fragile skin, a lack of subcutaneous fat, and underdeveloped body systems. Preterm infants also tend to have less developed lung function, making them more prone to respiratory difficulties and requiring specialized medical care.
These babies often need assistance in transitioning to life outside the womb, as their immature bodies are not fully equipped to handle the challenges and demands of the outside world. They may require neonatal intensive care, which involves close monitoring, specialized incubators, and supportive medical interventions to help them grow and develop.
The survival and long-term outcomes for preterm infants vary depending on their gestational age at birth and the level of medical care provided. Advances in medical technology and neonatology have significantly improved the prognosis for preterm infants over the years. However, they may still face potential challenges, such as developmental delays, respiratory issues, and other health complications, which may necessitate ongoing medical follow-up and intervention.
Common Misspellings for PRETERM INFANT
- oreterm infant
- lreterm infant
- -reterm infant
- 0reterm infant
- peeterm infant
- pdeterm infant
- pfeterm infant
- pteterm infant
- p5eterm infant
- p4eterm infant
- prwterm infant
- prsterm infant
- prdterm infant
- prrterm infant
- pr4term infant
- pr3term infant
- prererm infant
- preferm infant
- pregerm infant
Etymology of PRETERM INFANT
The word "preterm" is a combination of two parts: "pre-" and "term".
The prefix "pre-" originates from the Latin word "prae-" meaning "before" or "prior to". It is commonly used to indicate something happening before its usual or expected time.
"Term" in this context refers to the period of gestation or pregnancy that is considered to be the full-term or normal duration of around 37 to 42 weeks. It comes from the Latin word "terminus", which means "end" or "limit".
Thus, when combined, the term "preterm" refers to an infant who is born before the expected or full duration of gestation.
Similar spelling words for PRETERM INFANT
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