Which of the following statements regarding premature infants are true?

a. Complications of prematurity account for approximately 85% of fetal deaths

d. Preterm infants are at increased risk for hypocalcemia and hypoglycemia when compared to term infants

Prematurity is defined by the World Health Organization as a gestational age at birth of less than 37 weeks. Complications of prematurity account for approximately 85% of fetal deaths. These deaths are commonly due to perinatal asphyxia, respiratory failure and infection. The term intrauterine growth retardation describes a pathophysiologic process that results in restriction of fetal growth. Fetal, placental or maternal abnormalities are common. These infants are a heterogeneous population and they tend to have neonatal problems related more to their gestational age than to their birth weight. These problems include asphyxia, hypoglycemia, hypothermia, hypocalcemia, pulmonary hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis and other complications related to specific syndromes or congenital anomalies.