Single Best Answer (SBA) · Preterm Labour and Prelabour Rupture of Membranes
A clinician explains how preterm gestational age subcategories are defined. A baby born at 30 weeks falls into which single category?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Very preterm
Subcategories of preterm birth
Preterm birth (live birth before 37 completed weeks) is subdivided by gestational age.
| Category | Gestation |
|---|---|
| Extreme preterm | < 28 weeks |
| Very preterm | 28 to < 32 weeks |
| Moderate to late preterm | 32 to < 37 weeks |
This baby
- A baby born at 30 weeks is very preterm (28 to <32 weeks).
Why the categories matter
- Morbidity (RDS, IVH, cerebral palsy) rises steeply with decreasing gestation; the risk of RDS and cerebral palsy is inversely related to gestational age.
- Around 15 million babies are born preterm globally each year.
Categorisation guides counselling, anticipated neonatal needs and the intensity of antenatal interventions such as steroids and neuroprotection.
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