Final answer:
Approximately 4% to 10% of term and later preterm newborns will receive medical care after birth for complications such as respiratory distress syndrome, often due to inadequate surfactant production. This care could include surfactant replacement therapy or other forms of respiratory support.
Step-by-step explanation:
After birth, approximately 4% to 10% of term and later preterm newborns will receive some form of medical intervention or care. This is due to factors such as low birth weight, pre-term delivery, and complications such as respiratory distress syndrome that may arise from inadequate surfactant production in the lungs. Babies born around the threshold of viability, which is generally after 26 weeks of gestation, have a higher survival rate, especially with the necessary medical care. Immediate postnatal care is critical for these infants and may include surfactant replacement therapy, supplemental oxygen, or mechanical ventilation to support an underdeveloped respiratory system.