Which statement is true about premature infants?

• A. They are delivered before 37 weeks of gestation
• B. They are always underweight at birth
• C. They have no increased risk of complications
• D. They are typically full-term with normal respiratory function

Answer: (A)

Premature infants are defined by gestational age, not size or health status: they are born before 37 completed weeks of gestation. That early birth means organs, especially the lungs, aren’t fully mature, leading to a higher risk of respiratory distress and other challenges like trouble maintaining body temperature and feeding, often requiring NICU care. Birth weight can vary among preterm babies, so being underweight at birth isn’t guaranteed for every preterm infant. They do have increased risk of complications, so saying there’s no increased risk isn’t accurate. And they are not typically full-term with normal respiratory function, since full-term implies later gestational ages when organ systems, including the lungs, are more developed.