ABSTRACT
Introduction 125 Levels of prematurity 125 Resuscitation of the newborn 126 Respiratory system 127 Cardiovascular system 130 Central nervous system 131 Infection 132 Jaundice 133
Nutrition and hypoglycaemia 133 Temperature homeostasis 134 Haematology 134 Necrotising enterocolitis 135 The former preterm infant 135 Foetal surgery 136 References 136
There are no accurate recent world-wide data, but estimations of the proportion of births that are preterm ranges from 5-10 per cent in developed countries to 25 per cent in the developing world [1]. The factors that contribute to preterm birth vary. World-wide, the main aetiological factor is infection, and malaria and HIV are most common. In developed countries, induced delivery is responsible for almost half of the births between 28 weeks and 35 weeks; maternal hypertension and pre-eclampsia are the main pathologies. Other factors include multiple pregnancy, intrauterine growth restriction, maternal stress, diabetes, malnutrition and heavy physical work.
