Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
late preterm
Classification for infants born between 34 and 36 completed weeks of gestation.
Full Definition
Late preterm refers to infants born between 34 weeks 0 days and 36 weeks 6 days of gestation. While these infants are often similar in size to term babies, they remain at increased risk for complications including respiratory distress, feeding difficulties, temperature instability, and jaundice. Late preterm infants represent the largest group of premature babies and often require specialized monitoring and care despite appearing relatively mature.
Usage
Usage note: Preferred term over 'near-term' which may minimize associated risks.
In Context
- "Late preterm infants require careful monitoring for feeding tolerance." — Discharge planning checklist
- "The 35-week late preterm infant developed mild respiratory distress." — Admission assessment
Also known as
near-term
Contrasted with
term
very preterm
Don't confuse with
term infant
moderate preterm