Definition of premature birth date

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on April 30, 2025
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Premature birth, compared to miscarriage and full-term birth, is defined differently. A miscarriage refers to childbirth before 28 weeks, and a full-term birth is one that occurs after 37 weeks. Births that occur between 28 weeks and 36 weeks plus 6 days are collectively referred to as premature births. During this period, the fetus is relatively larger and has a certain level of maturity, so the survival rate is relatively high. However, it still falls short when compared to full-term infants. Generally, 34 weeks is used as a boundary: infants born from 28 to 34 weeks are referred to as early preterm, while those born between 34 weeks and 36 weeks plus 6 days are considered late preterm. Therefore, premature births are divided into these two main categories. In clinical practice, if there are signs of premature birth, it is recommended to try to extend the gestational age and aim for childbirth during the late preterm period.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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Premature birth: Cesarean section or natural delivery?

Whether to opt for cesarean or vaginal delivery for preterm birth needs a comprehensive grasp of the pregnant woman's entire condition before assessing and deciding on the mode of childbirth. First, it's necessary to check if the woman has any complications and the severity of these complications, as well as whether her physical condition allows for vaginal delivery. Additionally, the changes in fetal heart rate must be considered. If the fetal heart rate is particularly poor, and the duration of vaginal delivery is long such that the child cannot endure it, then a cesarean section may be needed. Beyond these conditions, it is also important to evaluate the state of the pelvis, the size of the fetus, and the condition of the cervix. Generally, if vaginal delivery is possible for preterm births, it is still encouraged.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Does premature birth affect intelligence?

Premature birth generally does not affect a baby's intellectual development, as the brain is mostly well-developed by the time of premature birth, and intelligence is not greatly affected. With appropriate nutrition post-birth, the intelligence of premature babies can generally recover to that of average children. However, if the baby experiences intrauterine hypoxia during premature birth, this can affect the brain cells and may even lead to cerebral palsy. Therefore, it is important to closely monitor the baby's diet and neurological responsiveness if premature birth occurs. If there are concerns, a hospital check-up can be conducted to promptly identify any issues with the child.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Can premature birth be natural birth?

First, let's discuss the concept of preterm birth, which is defined as births occurring between less than 37 weeks and more than 28 weeks of gestation. There are many reasons for preterm birth, such as genetic factors, premature rupture of membranes, or complications during pregnancy. If the pelvic size is adequate and the child can tolerate delivery, then vaginal delivery is preferred; however, if the fetus is too small or there are complications during pregnancy such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, or if the mother's health status is not good, it is recommended to opt for a cesarean section to ensure a timely delivery.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Is premature birth prone to cerebral palsy?

Under normal circumstances, not all preterm infants will develop cerebral palsy. Preterm babies are more susceptible due to their immature organ systems compared to full-term babies. If they face poor adaptation to the environment during or after childbirth, it can increase the likelihood of developing cerebral palsy. However, this does not mean that cerebral palsy will occur in all cases. Furthermore, since the brain development system is not fully mature in preterm infants, conditions such as brain hypoxia may occur, which can affect the brain and contribute to the development of cerebral palsy.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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What is the earliest gestational week that a premature baby can survive?

Preterm infants, how many weeks can survive, first let's talk about the concept of preterm birth. The concept of preterm birth is more than 28 weeks but less than 37 weeks, this is called premature birth. However, with the improvement of neonatal resuscitation technology, in China, if it’s after 26 weeks, the vast majority of newborns can also survive. But after survival, the cost is quite high. For instance, if it's in a top-tier hospital, the cost for newborns born between 26 and 28 weeks can be around several hundred thousand yuan. So, even after some medical insurance policy reimbursements, you would still have to spend around tens of thousands of yuan on your own.