From the Guidelines
Preterm delivery is defined as birth between 20 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation. This definition is crucial in identifying individuals at risk for preterm delivery and providing appropriate management to reduce adverse neonatal complications 1. The preterm period can be further categorized into different sub-periods, including extremely preterm, very preterm, and moderate to late preterm.
- Extremely preterm: less than 28 weeks
- Very preterm: 28 to less than 32 weeks
- Moderate to late preterm: 32 to less than 37 weeks Understanding these categories is essential in guiding clinical decision-making and optimizing outcomes for preterm infants. According to the study by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine 1, approximately three-fourths of all preterm births occur in the late preterm period, which is between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation. The management of preterm labor includes interventions such as antenatal corticosteroids to accelerate fetal lung maturity, magnesium sulfate for neuroprotection, and tocolytic medications to delay delivery when appropriate. These interventions are critical in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with preterm birth. The use of antenatal corticosteroids, in particular, has been shown to substantially reduce the risks of adverse neonatal complications, including death, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, and sepsis, when administered to pregnant women with a high likelihood of preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation 1.
From the Research
Definition of Preterm Delivery
The definition of preterm delivery is birth that occurs between 20 0/7 weeks and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation 2. This definition is crucial in identifying pregnancies at risk and providing appropriate management to reduce the risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Key Characteristics of Preterm Delivery
- Preterm delivery is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality 3, 4, 5
- Approximately 5-10% of all births are premature 4
- Preterm labor is associated with various risk factors, including preterm rupture of membranes, cervical incompetence, and infections 4
Gestational Age and Preterm Delivery
- The gestational age at which preterm delivery occurs is critical in determining the management and outcomes of the pregnancy 5, 2
- Births that occur before 37 weeks of gestation are considered preterm 5, 2
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists defines preterm birth as birth between 20 0/7 weeks and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation 2
Importance of Defining Preterm Delivery
- Defining preterm delivery is essential in identifying pregnancies at risk and providing appropriate management to reduce the risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality 3, 4, 5, 2
- Accurate definition and diagnosis of preterm delivery can help healthcare providers make informed decisions about the management of the pregnancy and the timing of delivery 5, 2