Abstract
Definitions of premature birth vary. A definition of prematurity in which birth weight is less than 5.5 lb could include low birth weight, but not premature (in weeks of age). Definitions based on a gestational age of less than 39 weeks might not be accurate. It is relatively clear that morality rates are closely related to gestational age. For example, the mortality rate in a group of infants weighing between 2.2 and 3.3 lb was about 50%, and in infants less than 30 weeks, the mortality rate was 63%. Approximately, two thirds of all newborn mortality is linked to premature birth. The incidence of premature birth in the USA is 7%.
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McCandless, D.W. (2011). Premature Birth. In: Kernicterus. Contemporary Clinical Neuroscience. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6555-4_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6555-4_4
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