Prematurity

Abstract

It is important to recognize that if an infant is born early, organ immaturity is not confined to the lungs, brain, and gut. All the organ systems of the body, including the skin, are immature and may give rise to illness and difficulty in management, particularly if the infant is extremely preterm. The skin of an infant of 25 weeks gestation is structurally and functionally different from the skin of an infant born at term. Problems arise as a result of this immaturity that need to be understood and managed. These problems are predictable and range from difficulties in fluid and electrolyte management to temperature regulation and infection control.