A newborn is considered premature if it weighs less than 5.5 pounds (2.3\u00a0kilograms) or if the child is born before the completion of seven months of pregnancy.<\/p>\n
Editor’s Note: Current definitions of prematurity include a birthweight of less than 2500 grams, or a gestational age of less than 36 5\/7 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Characteristically, this child is smaller, thinner, and redder than a full-term baby. His\u00a0head will be relatively larger than that of a full-term baby. Keep the following in mind\u00a0when you are assisting in a premature delivery:<\/p>\n a. Keep the newborn warm. Maintaining his body temperature is very important.\u00a0Wrap the baby in a warm blanket or a makeshift incubator. A makeshift incubator could\u00a0be aluminum foil wrapped around the baby, leaving the face uncovered.<\/p>\n b. Keep the baby’s mouth and throat clear of fluids and mucus. Do this by using\u00a0a bulb syringe to keep the baby’s nose and mouth clear of fluid.<\/p>\n c. See that the newborn’s umbilical cord is not bleeding. The smallest amount\u00a0of bleeding may be serious for premature infants.<\/p>\n d. Give oxygen to the baby. DO NOT blow oxygen in a stream directly over the\u00a0baby’s face. The oxygen flow should be low–less than four liters per minute.<\/p>\n e. Ensure that the infant is not contaminated. Premature infants are very\u00a0susceptible to infection. Wear a surgical gown and mask. Also, keep people (except for\u00a0your assistant, if you have one) away from the infant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A newborn is considered premature if it weighs less than 5.5 pounds (2.3\u00a0kilograms) or if the child is born before the completion of seven months of pregnancy. Editor’s Note: Current definitions of prematurity include a birthweight of less than 2500 grams, or a gestational age of less than 36 5\/7 weeks from the first day … Continue reading 2-21. PREMATURE BIRTHS<\/span>