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Premature infant





Premature infant

Alternative Names:

Preterm infant; Preemie
Symptoms:
  • Low birth weight - less than 5.5 pounds (2500 grams)
  • Thin, smooth, shiny, almost translucent skin
  • Veins are easily seen through the skin (transparent skin)
  • Wrinkled features
  • Soft, flexible ear cartilage
  • Body hair called lanugo
  • Irregular breathing pattern
  • Weak cry
  • Usually inactive, may be unusually active immediately after birth
  • Ineffective suck and swallow (poor feeding)
  • Enlarged clitoris (female infant)
  • Small scrotum, smooth without ridges (male infant)

Signs and tests:


The infant may have a low body temperature, develop rapid breathing, or exhibit poor respiratory effort.

Common tests performed on a premature infant include the following:




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