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Clinical features

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

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

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