Title: Premature babies - Better Health Channel
Headings: Premature babies
Premature babies
Summary
On this page
Risk factors for premature birth
Delaying premature labour
The chance of survival for premature babies
Complications for premature babies
Disabilities for premature babies
Where to get help
Things to remember
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Content: Premature babies - Better Health Channel
Babies and toddlers (0-3)
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Premature babies
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Summary
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The causes of premature labour aren’t fully understood, so prediction and prevention are difficult. The chances of survival for premature babies depend on the degree of prematurity and their birth weight. Premature babies who survive are at risk of a range of mild to severe disabilities, including visual impairment, developmental delay and learning difficulties. On this page
Risk factors for premature birth
Delaying premature labour
The chance of survival for premature babies
Complications for premature babies
Disabilities for premature babies
Where to get help
Things to remember
In Australia, around eight per cent of babies are born prematurely (before 37 weeks gestation) every year. Most babies who are premature are born between 32 and 36 weeks gestation, and almost all of these babies grow up to be healthy children. Sadly, some babies die as a result of being born too early because their organs are too immature to function properly outside the womb. It is difficult to predict which pregnancies will end prematurely. Most often, no specific cause is found for premature births. We know of a few risk factors, but the mechanics behind premature labour remain a mystery, so it is difficult to prevent. Risk factors for premature birth
Some reasons for premature birth remain unknown.