clinical features
Last edited 08/2019
The clinical features of premature labour in the child are heavily dependent upon the gestational age. Some possible features include:
- a small but plump baby
- colour - often red
- length - less than 50 cm
- head circumference - less than 35 cm
- increased surface area to volume ratio
- hair - lanugo
- skin - thin, shiny, transparent, oedematous, no palmar creases
- immature development of ears, breasts, genitalia
- tone - hypotonic
- muscles - bulk reduced