Question

During initial steps, if the baby is _____ weeks gestation, do not dry the baby.

a) less than 32
b) more than 34
c) 36

Answer 1

For an infant born before 32 weeks of gestation (option a), it is not recommended to dry the baby immediately after birth to prevent heat loss. Instead, maintaining warmth through other methods like plastic wrapping is advisable. By 32 weeks, the baby's lungs are more developed, and the baby has a better ability to maintain body temperature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the care of a prematurely born infant in the context of the gestational age at which one should not dry the baby immediately after birth. It is generally recommended that for a baby born at less than 32 weeks gestation, you should avoid immediate drying to prevent heat loss and instead employ methods like placing the infant in a plastic wrap or bag to maintain body temperature.



Preterm infants have not accumulated the necessary body fat to retain heat, and their skin is more permeable, which increases the risk of hypothermia. Rapid weight gain occurs during developmental weeks 21-30, enabling more mature newborns to maintain a stable body temperature after birth. By around week 32, the lungs are more likely to be fully developed, so the baby can breathe on its own if born at this stage.