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Premature babies, often called preemies, are born before 37 

weeks into the pregnancy and are most commonly caused 

by multiple babies inside the womb and high blood 

pressure.

A normal pregnancy will last up to 40 weeks, but preemies 

are grouped by how prematurely they were born such as:

•     Moderately premature between 35 and 37 weeks

•     Very premature between 29 and 34 weeks

•     Extremely premature = between 24 and 28 weeks

•     Low birth weight baby weighs less than 2,500 g (5.5 

lbs.)

•     Very low birth weight baby weighs less than 1,500 g 

(3.0 lbs.)

•     Extremely low birth weight baby weighs less than 

1,000 g (2.2 lbs.)

African-Americans and Native Americans have the highest 

neonatal death rate associated with prematurity. Almost 60% 

of all pregnancies involving twins, triplets and other sets of 

multiples are delivered prematurely. An interval of less than 

six months between pregnancies, conceiving through in vitro 

fertilization, problems with the uterus, cervix or placenta, 

smoking cigarettes, has vaginal infections, drinking alcohol or 

using dangerous and illicit drugs, poor nutrition, some 

infections, particularly of the amniotic fluid and lower genital 

tract, some chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure 

and diabetes, being underweight or overweight before 

pregnancy, stressful life events, such as the death of a loved 

one or domestic violence, multiple miscarriages or abortions, 

physical injury or trauma, unusual shape of the uterus are all 

risk factors.

Preemies are different compared to other babies. According to 

neonatologists, pediatricians who concentrate in the care of 

premature and very ill babies, they usually sleep more than 

full term babies, most preemies need 8-10 feedings per day 

without no more than four hours between each, also they need 

to have 6-8 wet diapers per day to show that the baby is 

getting enough breast milk or formula. The features on 

premature babies sometimes look sharper and less rounded 

and they cry softly, if even at all.

Preemies also have more health challenges than other babies 

because of their low birth weights and underdeveloped organs, 

which increases their risks of having disease’s, life threatening 

infections, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities. Of children 

born before 26 weeks of gestation, 34% of preemies will have 

low cognitive scores and require glasses, however, 20% will 

have no problems. And 50% of babies born before the 26th 

week of gestation are disabled and 1 in 10 will develop a 

permanent disability. 

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