According to the material, when can the baby survive on its own if born prematurely?

According to the material, when can the baby survive on its own if born prematurely?

• A. End of month 4
• B. End of month 5
• C. Month 6
• D. Month 7-9

Answer: (C)

The key idea is viability—the gestational age at which a premature baby has a realistic chance of surviving outside the womb with medical help. By about six months of pregnancy (around 24 weeks), a baby’s lungs and other organs have developed enough that, in today’s NICUs, a premature infant can survive with support such as specialized care, warmth, and careful monitoring. Earlier than six months, the organs are generally too underdeveloped for independent life outside the uterus. By seven to nine months, the baby is typically beyond the threshold where survival is a concern, so six months is the point educational materials use to indicate viability. So the best answer is month six.

The key idea is viability—the gestational age at which a premature baby has a realistic chance of surviving outside the womb with medical help. By about six months of pregnancy (around 24 weeks), a baby’s lungs and other organs have developed enough that, in today’s NICUs, a premature infant can survive with support such as specialized care, warmth, and careful monitoring. Earlier than six months, the organs are generally too underdeveloped for independent life outside the uterus. By seven to nine months, the baby is typically beyond the threshold where survival is a concern, so six months is the point educational materials use to indicate viability. So the best answer is month six.