An infant born before full term.
Before the expected or desirable time.
In pregnancy, referring to an infant born well before the due date, especially before the 37th week of gestation, either because labor began prematurely or because a physician induced labor, as when the mother’s or infant’s health was endangered or when the infant was mistakenly thought to be postmature. Various medical conditions can trigger premature labor and delivery, including preeclampsia, hypertension (high BLOOD pressure), kidney and urological disorders, diabetes mellitus, heart problems, hemorrhage as a result of problems with the placenta, excess amniotic fluid, and multiple births. Premature infants are often common among adolescent pregnancies; women with poor nutrition; women who smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs during pregnancy; and those who have a previous history of childbearing problems. But in many cases, it is unclear why labor started prematurely. Sometimes a doctor may administer a drug to try to halt premature, or preterm, labor.
Occurring before the normal time; not fully developed, especially a premature infant.
Born or manifest before full development has been achieved.