premature infant
Definition
Noun: A premature infant is a baby born before 37 weeks of gestation have been completed. This early birth means the infant has had less time to develop in the womb and may require special medical care.
Usage
The term is used in medical and general contexts to describe a newborn's condition based on gestational age at birth. It is a clinical descriptor. - The neonatal unit is equipped to care for premature infants. - She gave birth to a premature infant at 34 weeks.
Advanced Usage
- "Extremely premature infant": Often used for infants born before 28 weeks of gestation.
- The term focuses specifically on the timing of birth (prematurity) rather than the infant's size, though many premature infants also have a low birth weight.
Variants and Related Words
- Preterm infant: A direct synonym, often used interchangeably in medical contexts.
- Premature baby: A more common, less clinical synonym.
- Preemie (informal noun): A common informal term for a premature infant.
- Neonate: A general term for a newborn infant in the first 28 days, which includes premature infants.
Synonyms
- Preterm infant
- Preterm baby
- Premature baby
- Preemie (informal)
Antonyms
- Term infant: An infant born between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation.
- Full-term infant: An infant born at or after 39 weeks of gestation.
Related Phrases
- Low birth weight: A common, but not universal, characteristic of premature infants.
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): The hospital unit where premature infants often receive treatment.
Noun
-
an infant that is born prior to 37 weeks of gestation
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