Final answer:
Premature infants are at higher risk of complications due to underdeveloped organs, low birth weight, and higher susceptibility to conditions like RDS and infections. Intensive medical care improves their chances of survival, especially after 26 weeks of gestation. Prenatal care is critical for monitoring fetal health and reducing complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Preterms, or premature infants, are at higher risk of complications due to their organs not being fully developed. The leading causes of these complications are respiratory and nervous system immaturity, low birthweight, and potential for conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) or infections. Interventions in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are often critical for their survival.
The viability of the fetus is significantly enhanced after 26 weeks of gestation. With necessary medical care, the survival rate for these babies is over 90%. However, those born at 23 weeks face survival odds between 20 and 35 percent, relying heavily on advanced medical care.
Factors such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and conditions like preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) compound risks for preterms. Genetic and environmental factors during prenatal development also play a role in fetal health, emphasizing the importance of routine prenatal care.