causes of prematurity and features of prematured babies

Maternal causes of prematurity
1.Pre-eclampsia
2.Eclampsia
3.Severe malaria
4.Malnutrition
5.Untreated diabetes
6.Untreated syphilis
7.Emotional upset
8.Social status in low income group
9.Age factor (under 18 years of age)
10.Poor health of the mother due to malaria or any acute condition with high temperature

Foetal causes of prematurity
1.Foetal malformation
2.Hydraminious condition in which prematured babies may be born.

Physical characteristics of the prematured baby
1.The length -The baby may be 45cm or less
2.Weight-It is 2.5g
3.The head is bigger than the rest of the body with soft skull and widest sutures and fontanelles
4.The nails are soft and do not reach the tip of the fingers and toes
5.The limbs are thin, it looks feeble, drowsy and does not suckle well.
6.In males infant the testicles may be undescended.
7.In females infants,the labia minora protrudes and labia majora is not develop
8.The nails are soft and do not reach the tip of the fingers and toes
9.The chest is small with bigger abdomen and the eyes are often closed.