If a baby is born three or more weeks before the due date (before 37 weeks gestation), he or she is considered preterm. Preterm birth increases the risk of infant mortality and disability, because many of the organs – such as the lungs, heart, intestines and eyes – may not have had time to completely develop in utero. Common health problems in these infants include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, problems with breathing, vision and hearing loss, and problems with digestion. Unfortunately, the causes of preterm birth remain unknown, but staying healthy during pregnancy lowers the risk of delivering a baby prematurely.

Vaccine recommendations for children differ by country and region. Vaccination against measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and tuberculosis is routine globally. The World Health Organization also recommends immunization against hepatitis B, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), yellow fever and rubella. Many other vaccines are available and more are under development. Your local health department can provide more specific recommendations for vaccination based on the characteristics of your region.

Yes. If a woman is HIV positive, her baby is most likely to acquire the virus during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or breast feeding. In the absence of treatment, 15-30% of children of HIV-infected women will acquire the virus during pregnancy or labor and delivery, and another 5-20% will be infected through breast feeding. However, antiretroviral therapy, safe delivery practices and feeding with formula can greatly reduce the risk of transmission.

Jaundice is when the skin and eyes take on a yellowish hue due to a build up of bilirubin in the body. Bilirubin comes from old red blood cells normally broken down by the liver, but in the first few days of life an infant�s liver may be incapable of breaking down this substance, causing jaundice. Small to moderate levels of bilirubin are not harmful, but high levels may cause brain damage. If a baby has high levels of bilirubin, he or she may require treatment, which involves undressing the baby and putting him or her under special lights.

Diarrhea is usually caused by a viral infection of the stomach and intestines. Viral diarrhea lasts 5-7 days. Children with mild diarrhea can continue eating solids, formula or milk. If diarrhea is more severe, a child may need an electrolyte solution to stay hydrated. These solutions are commercially available. If a child shows signs of dehydration such as a decrease in urination, no tears when crying, high fever, dry mouth, weight loss, extreme thirst, listlessness, or sunken eyes, a trained health provider should be contacted.

Pneumonia is the leading cause of child mortality and results in one out of every five child deaths worldwide. It is a severe lower respiratory infection that causes the lungs to fill with pus and fluid. These substances make oxygen absorption and breathing difficult. Childhood pneumonia is usually diagnosed by its clinical symptoms � coughing and fast or difficult breathing. Childhood immunization, proper nutrition and reducing indoor air pollution can help prevent pneumonia. Once a child has pneumonia, treatment with a full course of antibiotics is usually effective in treating it, since most severe cases are bacterial.