Final answer:
Premature babies need special care because their organs, particularly the lungs and nervous system, are not fully developed. The baby's ability to breathe and maintain body temperature is compromised, necessitating medical interventions like surfactant therapy and CPAP. Every additional week in utero significantly increases the chances of survival and decreases the need for intensive care.
Step-by-step explanation:
Babies born before the seventh month of development require special care because their vital organs, including the lungs, are not fully mature. By the 28th week, a baby begins to have features like eyelashes and eyebrows, and the process of muscle and bone development is underway, allowing for survival; however, they still need assistance with breathing. Fetal hemoglobin differences and weight gain are critical for oxygenating and maintaining the baby after birth, but for those born prior to this period, significant medical intervention is necessary. Key systems like the respiratory and nervous systems are inadequately developed, leading to conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome, which may require interventions like surfactant replacement therapy or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to support the premature baby's breathing.
Furthermore, rapid weight gain between the 21st to 30th weeks is crucial for the fetus to maintain a stable body temperature post-birth. Myelination of the spinal cord starts in this period, a process necessary for efficient nervous system functioning, which is also not completed till adolescence. Even just a few weeks' difference in gestation can dramatically change the survival rate and essential care required for a premature baby. Therefore, babies born before reaching fetal viability need specialized neonatal care to support their transition to life outside the uterus and to optimize their chances of survival.