Preterm Prenatal Education—A Novel Approach

Preterm birth (ie, birth before 37 weeks’ gestational age) is the leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years worldwide and accounts for 18% of the deaths. Furthermore, preterm birth is a common cause of morbidity and further mortality during childhood. The most common complications of prematurity include respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, feeding difficulties, interventricular hemorrhages, periventricular leukomalacia, seizures, sepsis, and retinopathy of prematurity. While there is higher morbidity and mortality associated in infants born before 34 weeks’ gestation, those born between 34 and 37 weeks’ gestation (defined as late preterm) are at risk for greater adverse outcomes than term infants. Mothers of preterm infants have increased levels of psychological distress compared with mothers of term infants.