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'''Premature birth''' is the birth of human before full term is reached at 37 weeks. It is most common for twins and other multiple births. The smallest babies to survive weighed in at less than 10 ounces, born 16 weeks early.
'''Premature birth''' is the birth of human before full term is reached at 37 weeks. It is most common for twins and other multiple births. The smallest babies to survive weighed in at less than 10 ounces, born 16 weeks early. There are about 380,000 premature births annually in the U.S.
==Life experience==
Premature babies studied as young adults show distinctive disadvantages. They are more likely to have one or more chronic health problems, especially neurosensory conditions (cerebral palsy, blindness, or deafness), and are shorter than normal-weight babies. They also have lower IQs, score lower on academic achievement tests, and are less likely to have graduated from high school or have enrolled in a four-year college. However, 51% have IQ scores within the normal range; 74% have completed high school; and 41% are pursuing post-secondary education.
On the positive side, these former "preemies" are less likely to engage in risk-taking behavior, use alcohol or illicit drugs, engage in sexual activities, or become pregnant. "We believe that this limited risk-taking behavior may result from increased parental monitoring of very low-birth-weight children," suggests Maureen Hack, professor of pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University.<ref> "Outlook Promising in Some Regards" ''USA Today'' Issue: 2689, October 2002. </ref>
==Image==
==Image==
Some famous people have been premature, including [[Isaac Newton]] and [[Winston Churchill]], but until the mid-20th century survival rates were low. Increased attention to premature infants in the early 20th century was a result not only of improved technology, especially the incubator, but also of increased public awareness. As the general infant mortality rate dropped, premature births and deaths became more visible. Public displays of babies in incubators, such as the exhibit at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago in 1933, brought premature infants to the attention of the general public. The popular media published articles describing prematurity and extolling hospital care. This awareness of the issue of prematurity and medical advances designed to save the lives of infants changed the image of such children.<ref> Elizabeth A. Reedy, "From Weakling to Fighter: Changing the Image of Premature Infants." ''Nursing History Review'' 2003 11: 109-127. 1062-8061 </Ref>
Some famous people have been premature, including [[Isaac Newton]] and [[Winston Churchill]], but until the mid-20th century survival rates were low. Increased attention to premature infants in the early 20th century was a result not only of improved technology, especially the incubator, but also of increased public awareness. As the general infant mortality rate dropped, premature births and deaths became more visible. Public displays of babies in incubators, such as the exhibit at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago in 1933, brought premature infants to the attention of the general public. The popular media published articles describing prematurity and extolling hospital care. This awareness of the issue of prematurity and medical advances designed to save the lives of infants changed the image of such children.<ref> Elizabeth A. Reedy, "From Weakling to Fighter: Changing the Image of Premature Infants." ''Nursing History Review'' 2003 11: 109-127. 1062-8061 </Ref>