4 Facts about infant prematurity

1. Infant prematurity occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy (normal pregnancy is 40 weeks).
2. The exact cause of infant prematurity is unknown, but there are certain factors related to the mother increase the incidence of prematurity; it includes the following:

• Maternal age (if the mother age is older than 35 years old or younger than 17 years old).
• Maternal conditions, such as; diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease.
• Poor nutrition of the mother, especially during pregnancy.
• Congenital anomalies of the uterus as in septate uterus.
• Urinary tract infection with spread of infection to the amniotic membrane.

3. Infant prematurity is a critical condition as it results in serious health problems, such as; low birth weight, hypothermia, difficulties in breathing and feeding in addition to increased incidence of developmental defects.
4. To prevent infant prematurity as possible, the mothers should do the following tips:

• Treatment of any possible cause of infant prematurity before pregnancy (urinary tract infection, malnutrition… etc.).
• Drinking plenty of water.
• Following a healthy well-balanced diet, especially during pregnancy.
• Women who have had a history of infant prematurity should take aspirin since the beginning of the pregnancy.
• It's strictly forbidden to take any medication without a doctor's prescription.