Extremely preterm
An extremely preterm baby is born at or before 25 weeks of pregnancy, at the very edge of viability. These babies weigh as little as 500 to 700 grams and require immediate, intensive life support including ventilation, intravenous nutrition, and temperature-controlled incubators. The risks of serious complications, including chronic lung disease, vision problems, hearing loss, and developmental delays, are significant. Medical teams will have honest conversations with parents about likely outcomes and the care plan. Long-term developmental follow-up is essential, and many hospitals have dedicated preterm follow-up clinics to support these children as they grow.
What This Means for You
Understanding Extremely preterm is an important part of your at or before 25 weeks journey. In your baby's first year, you will hear this term from your paediatrician and in parenting communities. Knowing what it means helps you respond quickly and confidently.
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In Singapore, the threshold of viability is generally considered to be around 23 to 24 weeks, and decisions about active intervention at the earliest gestations are made jointly by the medical team and family. KKH and NUH both offer structured long-term follow-up programs for extremely preterm survivors.
Related Terms
Source: https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/birth/preterm-babies
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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