A baby is considered premature when it is born before the full 37 weeks of gestation. It will be considered extremely premature when the birth occurs before 32 weeks of gestation. Different factors can lead to premature birth, including a multiple pregnancy, congenital anomalies or the mother’s lifestyle.

Prematurity represents a risk for the baby and its correct development. This risk varies depending on the gestation time and any medical issues that may occur. The most frequent medical complications are perinatal asphyxia (caused by a lack of oxygenation due to the immaturity of the lungs) and intraventricular brain haemorrhages. In addition, premature babies may show symptoms of anaemia, neonatal infection, low blood sugar, jaundice or intestinal inflammation. This is why they undergo a range of tests and neonatal interventions.

Although a great deal of progress has been made in the medical field to increase the survival of premature babies, different sequelae can occur that may remain during the baby’s first years of life or even throughout their entire life. According to scientific studies, 40% of very preterm babies have different degrees of cognitive problems at the age of 5. A highly diverse range of alterations can appear, from the presence of learning or attention deficit disorders, to physical and motor alterations such as hemiplegia.