Perinatal

Perinatal refers to the period occurring around the time of birth, specifically from the 20th to 28th week of gestation to 1 to 4 weeks after birth. The term is a combination of the Greek words "peri-", meaning "around", and "natal", meaning "birth". It is a critical time for both the mother and the baby, with significant physiological changes and potential health risks.

Definition

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the perinatal period as starting at the 22nd week (154 days) of gestation and ending seven completed days after birth. However, the definition varies among different organizations. Some consider the perinatal period as starting from the 20th to the 28th week of gestation and ending 1 to 4 weeks after birth.

Perinatal Health

Perinatal health is a broad field that covers the health of the mother and the baby during the perinatal period. It includes prenatal care, care during labor and delivery, and postnatal care. It also involves the prevention and treatment of diseases that can occur in this period, such as perinatal depression, perinatal infections, and perinatal mortality.

Perinatal Mortality

Perinatal mortality refers to the death of a fetus or neonate during the perinatal period. It is a critical indicator of maternal and neonatal health and healthcare quality. The perinatal mortality rate is the number of perinatal deaths per 1,000 total births.

Perinatal Infections

Perinatal infections are infections that can be transmitted from the mother to the baby during the perinatal period. These include bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Some common perinatal infections are Group B streptococcal infection, HIV/AIDS, and toxoplasmosis.

Perinatal Depression

Perinatal depression is a mood disorder that can affect women during pregnancy and after childbirth. It includes prenatal depression, the "baby blues," postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis. Perinatal depression can have serious health impacts on both the mother and the baby.

See Also

• Neonatology
• Obstetrics
• Pediatrics

References

Perinatal Resources
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