Do preterm infants have special care needs?
Preterm infants, also known as preemies, are babies born before the mother has completed 37 weeks of pregnancy (or on or before 259 days from the first day of the last menstrual period). Preterm infants often have special needs, even after they leave the hospital. Infants born only a few weeks preterm (between 34 and 37 weeks, or “late preterm”) often have special needs during the first two years of age. Preterm infants may need to spend time in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the hospital until they are big and strong enough to go home. Preterm babies may also need special care even after leaving the NICU. You should talk to your health care provider about your infant’s specific care needs. The NICHD provides more information at its Preterm Labor and Delivery Health and Human Development topic. The National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus Web site also provides more information on Preterm (or Premature) Infants.
